President

Dave Tewel

My wife, Jan, introduced to me to Free Rein in 2014, I have enjoyed being a side walker and leader, as well as helping in maintenance and construction projects. I’ve been a volunteer Nordic ski instructor for Spokane Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services at Mt. Spokane Nordic Ski Area since 1995. I began as a volunteer firefighter with Spokane County Fire District 4 in 1991 and now serve as a driver/operator for District 4’s Support Services team. I’m honored to have been invited to join Free Rein’s Board of Directors in mid 2020. It’s an exciting time in a very challenging scenario but I’m surrounded by a great team of dedicated volunteers and staff.

Treasurer

Amber Hull

Amber Hull joined the Free Rein Board as Treasurer in September of 2022. Growing up on a small wheat farm with horses she understands the impact a horse can have on a person. Amber has worked for AgWest Farm Credit for over 16 years. As VP Credit, her current duties include review and underwriting of large, complex, and/or high-risk credit requests with review of complete financial analysis. Amber attended Washington State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness with a minor in Animal Science. She is married with two children and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family: riding, camping, fishing, gardening and caring for her family’s dogs, horses, goats, and chickens.

Secretary

Sandy Jones

Sandy first discovered therapeutic riding when she volunteered at the PETE program at WSU in 1991. When she returned to the Seattle area she began volunteering at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding. In 1998 she completed her degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant and took on her own clients at Little Bit. In 2002 she became a Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Later in 2002 Sandy, her husband and two kids moved to Spokane. After having another kid and then buying a young Fjord named Loki she decided that it was time to work on opening a therapeutic riding program in Spokane. In the summer of 2008 Free Rein was launched. Sandy moved back to the west side in 2019 and returned to Little Bit where she is a Physical Therapy Assistant and an Adaptive Riding Instructor. In her free time Sandy enjoys spending time with her husband and her three kids who are all now grown and out of the house. Their adventures include hiking, paddling, cross country skiing, being on the beach and traveling.

Board Member

Katharine Ross

As a child, I was entranced with the horse-themed books of  Marguerite  Henry. My favorite book was King of the Wind, the story of the Goldolphin Arabian. I purchased an Arabian horse for my twin daughters in 2005, and we participated in Arabian horse show events. From owning my own horse, I saw first hand the magical bond between horse and rider. Katharine obtained her law degree from Gonzaga University and has practiced in Seattle for over 31 years. She is retired. Katharine is a native Spokanite, and returned to Spokane in 2020 after the death of her husband. In Seattle, I was introduced to Therapeutic Riding at Little Bits, where I volunteered with my daughter. Upon my return to Spokane, I currently volunteer at Free Rein Therapeutic Riding as a horse leader. I joined the board in January 2024. I am committed to the goal of obtaining permanent property for the Free Rein program.

Board Member

Bobbie League

Bobbie joined the Free Rein Board of Directors in 2015, for the first time, and served until 2021. She has recently rejoined the Board of Directors and is a member of the Free Rein Capital Campaign Task Force. As a retired Fund Development Professional for 12 years with the Spokane Guilds' School (SGS), now Joya, she has always been committed to serving individuals with special needs. Before her employment with SGS, she had been the Director of Certification, for 15 years, in the School of Education at Gonzaga University. She has always been an active volunteer in fundraising and development activities - 40 years - for many non-profit organizations. Bobbie holds a B.A. in Speech Pathology and an M.A. in Educational Administrations, Curriculum, and Instruction from Gonzaga University. She also holds a Washington State teaching certificate and has taught grades first through eighth. She and her husband, Richard, have owned Thoroughbred race horses and have experienced firsthand the magic and wonder of a horse. She is steadfast in making sure Free Rein can secure a permanent property and build their forever home.