PROGRAM DIRCTOR

Danielle grew up in Danville, attended Seven Hills, Athenian and Pepperdine University.

Prior to being involved with therapeutic riding, she spent many years working in the fashion industry at Nordstrom, followed by working as a sales rep and then in management for international watch companies. Danielle began riding at the age of 6 and was instantly bit by the “horse” bug. She took riding lessons and trained as Hunter Jumper in the Tassajara Valley.

Danielle first became involved in therapeutic riding in 2006 when she began volunteering and teaching at SonRise Equestrian Foundation. Seeing the magical connection special needs children had with the horses was magnetic to her, and from then on she was hooked on the concept. She began at Xenophon in 2010 and received her PATH Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification in 2011. Being a part of Xenophon combines her two passions – children and horses.

When Danielle is not at Xenophon, she volunteers her time with the San Ramon Valley Horsemen’s Association, the Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek, and is a member of Soroptimist International of 24/680 Walnut Creek. Danielle enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, friends, her dog “Mattie”, and her horse “Dandie” who retired from Xenophon in 2014.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

After a first career as a Philosophy professor, and a second career as a small bar and restaurant owner, Mikha joined Xenophon in 2024 as Executive Director. Inspired by her transformative relationship with her own horse, and her deep belief in the therapeutic power of equine engagement, Mikha joined Xenophon to support its continued growth and development.

A Northern California gal by birth, Mikha lived in London, Boston and New York before returning home – first to San Francisco, and then Berkeley, before finally settling in Walnut Creek with her husband, Edwin, their daughter, Ana, their dog, Rosie, and their horses, Serafina and Billy. When not at the barn or out on a trail, Mikha enjoys cooking and entertaining at home, and watching Ana ride…here, there and everywhere!

EQUINE & FACILITIES MANAGER

Annie is a Lafayette native who has been riding for 15 years. Her love and passion for horses and animals has grown and transitioned to passing on her knowledge to the next generation. She’s been a horseback instructor for almost two years. She’s already grown her knowledge abundantly but is excited for it to grow more and in new and different ways.

As well as her love for horses, Annie cares and adores for children. She’s been working with kids for 10 plus years in all sorts of environments. She is incredibly excited to share all she can.

Outside of work she lines dances every chance she can get, adventures wherever and whenever she can, cares for her 10 month old puppy, Jasper and helps train her energetic Arabian horse, Logan.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Rebecca grew up riding in L.A. and Orange County, showing in hunters and equitation. She competed for the UC Berkeley IHSA team while working as a catch rider in the East Bay, rehabbing older horses and bringing along green horses. After graduating with a B.A. in History with a focus on Environmental History, Rebecca continued on to train horses and teach professionally, teaching hunter/ jumpers riders up to 3’6”. She has dabbled in many disciplines including dressage, endurance, eventing, western, trail, vaulting, sidesaddle, and natural horsemanship. Rebecca volunteered at Ride Your Horse! TRC in Cerritos, CA, while in high school and returned to her passion in 2019 at Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center. She then followed her dream of becoming a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor with PATH Intl., teaching at both Xenophon and Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Petaluma, CA.

On weekends you can find her obsessing over her cat, Connie, reading vampire novels, and looking for the best cheeseburger in Oakland.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Lisa grew up in the Bay Area and attended San Jose State University. She graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy and has worked as an OT for over 20 years. She was drawn to pediatrics early in her career and has worked in local hospitals including UCSF Children’s Hospital Oakland and John Muir Medical Center. Lisa currently works in a pediatric outpatient setting, in addition to Xenophon.

Lisa discovered the “magic” of horses in more recent years and is so glad she did. “To combine the movement of these beautiful animals with the work that I love is very special. I am so happy to be a part of this program.”

Lisa is also a certified yoga teacher and enjoys bringing her mindful movement training into her therapy sessions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, yoga and Taiko drumming.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Rachel was born and raised in the Bay Area. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz and continued her education at Samuel Merritt University where she received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Rachel has always had an affinity for working with children and is so thankful to continue this with Xenophon in addition to her school-based OT work in West Contra Costa.

Rachel has fond memories of riding horses with her grandma as a child. However, it was not until she began working with Xenophon in 2023 that she truly understood the immense benefits of being with horses.

When not working, Rachel can be found with clay covered hands at her ceramics studio, hiking in the redwoods, or playing guitar and singing to her partner and their cat.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Melissa is a true local girl, having grown up in the Orinda area. She has been volunteering/working at Xenophon for 18 years. Melissa began as a volunteer, first sidewalking, then becoming a horse handler. She began teaching for Xenophon in 2000, became a PATH Certified Registered Instructor in 2003, and completed her training as a PTA in 2015. Melissa has been riding most of her life, participating in pony club and then going on to compete in dressage and 3-Day Eventing. Her talented equestrienne skills led her to become a riding instructor in her teens and she has continued since that time.

Outside of Xenophon, Melissa enjoys playing tennis, skiing and running agility with the Australian Shepherds in her life, Luke and Blue.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Heather was born, raised, and completed her undergraduate studies in a small town in upstate New York. She then worked with children with Autism and dual diagnoses for two years before pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy from Temple University In Philadelphia, PA.

After earning a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy she worked for five years at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. But with a desire to find deeper, alternative ways of reaching children and communities in need, she joined the Peace Corp, and worked in Swaziland, Africa to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She has traveled and volunteered in India, Haiti, Costa Rica, Philadelphia, and Richmond, VA as well.

Heather holds interests and experiences in urban gardening, food and social justice, Food as Medicine, and outdoor activities as a means of healing. So when an opportunity to learn and practice healing using the movement and other sensory experiences of horses arose, she decided to walk on that path.

Heather is new to horses, but she loves them already, and with over 20 years of pediatric occupational therapy experience, she is happy to be at Xenophon for this next step in her career and life. Besides all that, she enjoys camping, hiking, all the music, her rescue Pitt-mix, “August”, and the Buffalo Bills!