Occupational Therapist Janet Weisberg began her work in equine therapy 15 years ago. According to parental lore, her interest in horses developed shortly after birth. Some time later, she completed her masters degree in Occupational Therapy at Rush University in Chicago, IL. Discovering that her years of horse experience dovetailed smoothly into the practice of occupational therapy she began working with therapeutic riding programs in New York, Illinois and Minnesota. Continuing to grow in her practice, Janet founded Hold Your Horses in August 2006 so she could specialize in hippotherapy services for children and adults. Janet is a registered therapist and instructor with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped) and serves on the board for AHA (American Hippotherapy Association).

Occupational Therapist Faith Mianulli has practiced OT in and around the Twin Cities for the past 20 years and currently works at St. David's Child Guidance in addition to Mondays at Hold Your Horses.   She brings a wealth of experience in sensory processing disorders, oral motor development and NDT to her practice of hippotherapy. Faith is also a lifetime horsewoman and uses her understanding of horse behavior and movement to enrich her skills in this setting.

Office Manager and Therapy Specialist Lisa Perovich brings nearly 20 years of experience working with animal assisted therapy programs. A trained facilitator of animal assisted therapy and education, Lisa has worked in the public schools, helping children with special needs. Her previous work experience in office administration is a welcome addition to the team effort. Lisa's horse Chicago lives at her home and works tirelessly to help improve her equine management and riding skills.

Horse Manager Sarah Raustadt joined HYH in June 09 and brings her lifelong equestrian skills, animal science background  and profressional horse training skills to our team.  Sarah has competed at 3rd level in dressage and previously was the  stable manager for a FEI dressage facility in the Western suburbs.  In addition to her time at HYH Sarah teaches riding lessons and trains horses for private clients in and around the Twin Cities.  She also finds time for her husband, new home and graphic design business.

Barn Manager Raquel Hove grew up on a ranch in ND and spent her childhood riding all over the ranch bareback and herding cattle.    She  competed in rodeo and won  multiple regional  and state championships.  She started riding English in 1997 at Fortuna Farm under Max vonBleucher and Hans Senn; and in 2000 started jumping at Jonathan Stables with Stephanie Kaneps (and Janet).  When not at the farm, Raquel divides her time between her husband Alan,  her horse Roxy and managing her legal nurse consulting practice .

Horse Handler Ruth Rovner  brings more than 10 years of experience in therapeutic riding programs to HYH. Ruth joined the program in August 2006 and now works with the team one day a week. Ruth can be seen working the other days of the week handling people issues as a financial manager for California Closets.

Interested in joining our team?  HYH welcomes student interns and visitors.  Please call 763 595 7112 to schedule an appointment.