Board of Directors

SPIRIT OF EQUUS RESCUE

Board of Directors

Spirit of Equus Rescue is a project of Institute of the Southwest, Inc., a 501(c)3 public charity and California corporation. EIN: 77-0523932

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President of Institute of the Southwest and Rescue Director

Janet Meyer, Ph.D., EBW is the founder and president of Institute of the Southwest and the director of Spirit of Equus Rescue. Dr. Meyer has been a professional educator for 25 years serving as an administrator and professor at the college level. She has a B.S. in biology, a medical background and retains certifications in stress management, Reiki & equine bodywork. In 2001 she became a horse owner and it changed her life!

Director Jan Meyer and Sunshine.

Photo by Nicole Grady.

Secretary/Treasurer Amanda Meyer

Mandy is secretary/treasurer and helps sponsor Tango's Tawni. She is a customer service professional interested in energy healing and animal communication. Mandy is seen here continuing to imprint the foal during her first week of life, May 2007.

Friends and Advisors

Friends and supporters of the Rescue are the heart of our organization. Without them we could not continue to do our healing work and provide a home for unwanted horses. These individuals serve as advisors, provide equine services, help with ranch development, or provide financial support. To all those listed below, we express our continuing gratitude.

Veterinarians:

Chris Comeau, DMV, Bakersfield, CA

Deborah Kemper, DMV, West Coast Equine, Somis, CA.

Kent Sullivan, DVM, West Coast Equine, Somis, CA.

Other Equine Specialists:

Tyler Newton, Ojai Hoofcare

Vicki Jo Hellewell, Tivy Valley Hoofcare

Mackie Hartwig, D.C., Fresno Chiropractic

Anna Twinney, Colorado Animal Communicator

Trainers:

Edna Van Noort, Whidbey Island, WA. Natural Horsemanship Trainer and Advisor (Kaptivate)

Valorie Reeves, Squaw Valley,CA. Natural Horsemanship Trainer(Kaptivate)

Ashley Howard Newton, Ojai, CA. Natural Horsemanship Trainer (Boni)

Sponsors:

Marta Cummings, Doreen Thompson, Nicole Grady, Mandy Meyer, Janet Meyer

Supporters:

Bill Meyer, Christie Meyer, Tom West, Julie Hermann, John Michael Daniel and Jaya McNamee, Stacy Madden, Nora Buck, CB Sign Solutions, Bird Feed & Livestock Supply, Cara and Dave Fusinato, Scott Loveless, Jacky Vittori, The Equestrian Connection; the late Sydney Pollack who generously donated $1000 toward purchase of our horse trailer.

Foundations: Avrum Katz Foundation (2008)

Former VP and founding board member Christie Meyer

Christie seen here hugging Tawni, the first foal born at the rescue.

Vice-President Jaya McNamee

Jaya has a bachelor's in psychology and served as a crisis counselor before she came to the Ojai Foundation. She is a free-lance grant writer.

Currently completing her internship with Linda Kohanov of Epona in Tucson, Jaya wishes to apply her interest in healing, equine experiential learning and growth and psychotherapy with holotropic breathwork. She is a dedicated natural horsemanship proponent and supports Parelli-based principles of horsemanship.

Jaya works exclusively with draft horses and her ranch abounds with four-legged creatures She is a rescue advocate, having adopted 3 horses via rescue organizations: Bodhi, Shanti and Sir Galahad.

In 2005-2006 Jaya facilitated our equine experiential learning workshops, so she knows our horses well as they served as equine therapists for our participants.

Sunny's Spa

Scott Loveless poses next to the stocks he built for Sunshine.