Staff
We have an incredible team of hearts, hands, and hooves that make Alatheia possible.
Nancy Grette, Co-Founder & Executive Director
Nancy grew up with horses riding through the hills of western Washington. That love continued while raising her own family with husband Glenn. The Grettes spent many summers riding and packing in the backcountry of Eastern Washington on their herd of horses that included 3 fjords. In June of 2010 the Grettes lives were forever changed when they gave a ride to a five year old girl with special needs. The magic between the horse and rider was unmistakable and the vision for Alatheia was born. A year later Alatheia opened its doors to 12 riders with special needs using 3 incredibly special fjord horses (Frid, Blakken, and Sindre) and 20 dedicated volunteers.
Nancy is a certified instructor through PATH International. Teaching and interacting with our special family of riders and volunteers, and loving on our herd of horses is the greatest pleasure of her life.
Heidi Nobles, Certified Instructor
Heidi has been riding horses since she was a little girl and always knew her passion was connecting horses and people. When Heidi was 8 years old, her brother was born at 24 weeks old. He spent months in the NICU and suffered from physical developmental delays throughout his entire early childhood.
During this time, Heidi realized the power and healing of horses. Heidi began teaching her younger brother on her first horse and got to watch as his core developed and his confidence grew. Heidi continued teaching lessons and during her 3rd year at University of North Georgia, she stepped away to complete her PATH International Registered Riding Instructor Certification.
Heidi and her family moved to Washington to work for Alatheia Riding Center in early 2016.
Anna Hopkins, Instructor
Anna grew up around horses and started teaching lessons when she was a teenager. A year before Alatheia came into existence, she met Nancy and started taking trail rides up on the hill with Frid and Blakken. Anna gained a lot from those trail rides and felt that those rides on Blakken were a therapy to her when she was going through some tough times.
As Alatheia came to life, Anna began mentoring under Nancy for her certification. Anna later moved on to work at a boy’s camp where she taught riding lessons. A few years later and she is now back at Alatheia as one of an instructor! Anna lives in Leavenworth and has two of her own horses close by in Dryden.
Emmy Young, Instructor
Emmy has always loved horses and as a little girl had dreams of working with them and children in some capacity, but had not heard of Therapeutic Horsemanship yet. An aunt introduced her to barrel racing in the spring that Emmy turned 13, but there was no opportunity to pursue that. Then, her grandmother invited her to attend a Lion’s meeting where Nancy was giving a presentation on Alatheia. Emmy volunteered soon after and continued for the next several years.
When she turned 16, Emmy began the process of Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification through PATH, International and has plans to complete that process in the fall of 2017. Emmy lives in Manson with her family that includes 4 brothers and 2 dogs.
Jovon Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator
Jovon has lived in Wenatchee for over 25 years and came to Alatheia as a volunteer in 2016. She and husband, Mike have a very busy 3-year old son, Cavan. Jovon grew up with horses, owning and riding her own for many years.
She loves working with people so the Volunteer Coordinator position at Alatheia was a dream come true! Jovon looks forward to many years to come working with the riders and volunteers at Alatheia, and is the “go to” person for all things volunteer related.
Melissa Ortega, Instructor
Melissa Ortega started with Alatheia as a volunteer in the fall of 2013. Her deep passion and interest in therapeutic riding led her to begin instructing in spring of 2015. With a master’s in Applied Behavior Science, Melissa is well-suited for her instructor responsibilities.
Outside of Alatheia she owns her own business of a line she created herself for luxury leisure items and has just launched an exclusive t-shirt line. Alatheia fills her heart with joy; the smiles and laughs created here are just contagious!
Elise Barger, Stable Hand
Elise is 21 years old. She lives in East Wenatchee with her Dad and Mum. She loves horses, reading, and the outdoors. She has worked for Alatheia for five years and volunteered for four of those years and then became Alatheia’s barn manager. She loves working with the other volunteers, the children, and the horses.
Elise loves seeing the joy on the kid’s faces during the lessons and seeing them interact with the instructors and volunteers, and says that working up at Alatheia is one of the best experiences of her life.
Horses
A therapeutic riding center is not complete without a great equine team!
Alatheia features only Norwegian Fjord horses that are registered with the NFHR (Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry). Aside from their unique and beautiful appearance, Norwegian Fjords are noted for their calm and easygoing nature. They are sure-footed and “honest”, meaning they are what they seem. Quiet, friendly, and trustworthy. Each of our horses has a unique personality and endear themselves to riders very quickly.
Frid is the matriarch of the Alatheia herd. An amazing 18 year old mare that has developed incredible connections with our most challenged riders. When introduced to an individual in a wheelchair, she will quietly drop her head in their laps and nuzzle them softly – seemingly “reading” their special needs and making the necessary adjustments in her behavior to meet those needs. She is quiet, steady, and unexcitable. She can be recognized by her long, often-braided forelock and thick, wavy tail. She also has a “Nike” cowlick on her neck.
Blakken is a sweet 17 year old gelding who is also a center favorite. Quiet and steady, he can be recognized by a white star on his forehead and darker brown forelock. Blakken is the center “clown” who will smile for a treat!
Sindre is Alatheia’s “big boy”! He is a 16 year old gelding with a BIG body, broad chest, and thick, strong legs, a lighter forelock and short, rounder-shaped ears. He has an alert and attentive personality.
Nils is the center’s “grandpa”. At 29 years old this gelding is the oldest horse at at Alatheia, but very much as active and fit as the others. Nils is smaller in stature and is slow and steady. His smaller size makes him perfect for some of our riders that require more support. He can be recognized by his light brown eyes.
Marta is a small, quick, and athletic mare that sports a fuzzy forelock with a red tint. She is a bit bossy with the other horses and is learning to respect her elders!
Vesla is our newest addition. She’s a young mare with a ton of potential! She has super sweet personality and thinks she is a human!
Jon is one of the smaller Fjords, but don’t let him fool you… he’s strong! He has a special, long mane unlike the rest of the herd.
Rikky is our sweet teddy bear horse. He is thick and sturdy. He has a super fuzzy forelock like Marta.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the “gold” of Alatheia and make it possible for the many individuals who come here to experience the life changing benefits of therapeutic riding. Experience with horses and/or special needs is not necessary and training is provided. There are many ways to help and range from working directly with horses and riders to facility maintenance to office and administrative help. Our dedicated team of volunteers is welcoming, friendly, and needs you! Be changed as you change a life with the healing power of horses.
Sign-up to volunteer at Alatheia here.
Alatheia’s volunteers come from all walks of life and range in age from 13 to 70+. Some have a lifetime of experience working with horses and others have never even been close to a horse. All bring valuable skills and experiences that build a quality program and create a unique community and special culture. It is our pleasure to introduce you to a few below:
I have always known that I had a lot of hidden potential, but Alatheia has made me actually realize it, like a dream come true! I have formed so many bonds here…with the horses, the volunteers, the staff, parents of the children I work with….and the children. Bonding with the parents has helped me to understand the issues they deal with on a daily basis, and the unconditional love they share. The children are beyond amazing with their ability to see life through unclouded eyes, and give their love freely when they know that you love them. It is more than I ever hoped for, and I am so grateful for the opportunity, and the trust that they have placed in me! ~ Lovelyn
I am a 77 year old grandmother who loves kids and volunteering. When I saw the video re Alatheia at a fund raising dinner, I knew I had to be a part of it even though I knew nothing about horses. What a rewarding decision. The welcoming and appreciation shown me by Nancy and her staff every time I come is incredible plus the affection shown between the riders, their helpers and the horses is something to behold and experience. I have enjoyed learning about the horses that has enabled me to feel comfortable with them and find I have a love for them too! I am grateful to be a part of this great service organization and have encouraged others to join. ~ Judy
I have always loved being around and working with horses. For 3 years I worked as a Ranch Hand on a ranch with a 25-stall barn and then started working with therapeutic horses for 6 years in Sequim. For the the past 5 years I have been volunteering at Alatheia Riding Center. Through these experiences I have learned to ride and understand the therapeutic value everyone who rides receives. I have seen the emotional support horses give and the physical strength and endurance grow for those who ride. I also see how the bond between the horse and the rider is stronger than disabilities someone may have. ~ Shanna
Donors & Members
The financial end of keeping the lights on, doors open, and horses fed and cared for (among many other things) is the result hundreds of generous people from near and far away. We are grateful for every donation that allows us to say yes to one more rider who needs us. Some donors partner with us through a monthly gift, others are less regular or even just one time. All are essential to our continuance and each is building block to meet our annual and long term need.
Please visit our giving page if you wish to make a donation to Alatheia.
Alatheia Board
The Alatheia board is made up of some fantastic people, whose leadership and vision keeps us on course.
Founders
Glenn and Nancy Grette created Alatheia Riding Center in February of 2011, and offered their first therapeutic rides in June of that year. The inspiration for the riding center came much earlier in the summer of 2010 when a friend asked us to provide a 5th birthday ride for their daughter with special needs.
The Grettes will never forget what happened when that little girl got on to ride. She was transformed by the empowerment and joy of moving on a horse rather than being carried by someone or using her walker to get around. We also noticed an incredible connection between our horse, Frid, and this little girl. Something very special was happening and they wanted more. That paired with a desire to live out their Christian faith in a real, tangible way led to further research and discovery.
Nancy began volunteering for a similar facility in Ellensburg and was deeply moved by what she experienced there. Next came a decision to pursue 501c3 status with the IRS, certification as a therapeutic riding instructor and gain Member Center status for Alatheia with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International) and a training internship at a large center in western Washington. Glenn’s expertise as a business man, ranch hand, and arena and facility designer has helped guide and direct the organization as well.
Alatheia has grown consistently each year of operation. Since starting the first year with 12 riders, Alatheia now serves 85 riders weekly with five instructors, a stable hand and an active volunteer base of more than 100 individuals.
