MISSION STATEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mission Statement
Established in December of 2021, in the state of Arizona, for the sole purpose of supporting establishments that provide quality Equine Assisted Services (EAS), and the continuing education and certification of individuals delivering EAS at qualified equestrian centers, outside the United States.
We exist to support Equine Assisted Services in Mexico, and eventually in Central and South America. Our financial assistance will only be provided to non-profits (Asociación Civil) in said countries.
Because many items necessary to running an A.C. for Equine Assisted Services (EAS) are not readily available in many parts of Mexico and therefore must be purchased in the United States of America, we believe our assistance is warranted.
General assistance can be any but is not limited to, the following if appropriate documentation is provided. Assistance with purchasing or receiving equipment necessary to your equine assisted service, salaries* for your instructors, trainers, directors of operations, web expenses, building projects, and essential items that cannot be purchased in Mexico but are necessary for EAS programs.
Furthermore, we believe that continuing education and certification are mandatory to maintain a level of excellence in equine-assisted services. However, the costs can be burdensome. Therefore, we offer financial assistance* to committed individuals in this field.
*specific requirements are listed under the legal tab, “Benevolent Donation Requirements”
Board of Directors
Our Founder/President — Lynn Lazzarini earned her Masters in Educational Curriculum with a Science Emphasis from California State University East Bay. She holds a California Multiple Subject Clear Clad Teaching Credential, but left the classroom in 2012 and moved to San Felipe, Baja. She grew up as a member of The United States Pony Club and as an adult served as the Assistant Instructional Coordinator for the Oregon region in the 90’s. From the late ’80s until now she has practiced massage therapy to enhance people’s physical capabilities. This varied background lead her to combine her knowledge, experience, and passion to serve the disabled through Equine Assisted Services. She currently owns and operates Centro Ecuestre Caballerizas Paraíso, A.C. in Baja, a nonprofit equine facility.
Our Vice President — Dr. Carrie Molho earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She has collaborated on clinical research of children’s problem-solving skills, novel cardiovascular devices, and epidemiological studies of the incidence of autism in the United States. She recently retired from her position as Clinical Director at San Andreas Regional Center in San Jose CA, a private non-profit agency that serves 18,000 individuals who have developmental disabilities. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of autism, and dementia. Dr. Molho splits her time between the Santa Cruz mountains of California, and San Felipe, Baja.
Director – Deborah Keady is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, married 48 years, mom of two, grandparent to 5 boys, and 1 girl, and great grandparent to 1. She held positions as Parent Educator for an alternative school for teen parents and worked as a VISTA volunteer for the Family Empowerment Project which was primarily working with at-risk families (including children with autism and other abilities). She was a Social Service Assistant and eventually, the Federal Revenue Specialist for the Oregon Dept of Human Services. Now a resident of San Felipe, Baja Mexico, she volunteers and travels.
Our Treasurer — Brooke R. Lazzarini graduated from The University of San Francisco with a Bachelors in Environmental Studies, on an ROTC Scholarship. She was commissioned as a US Army officer in the Military Police Corps and served at Fort Hood, TX until she separated in 2018. After her Military Service, she became a Financial Advisor at First CommandFinancial Services, primarily working with Service Members and their families. She is currently the Financial Advisor, Registered Principal, and District Advisor in Lawton, OK. She devotes her spare time to supporting a local equestrian center in broadening their events and Military outreach. She and her former racehorse are actively competing in Three Day Events throughout Oklahoma and Texas.
Our International Business Advisor/Translator — Edward Rodrigues brings over 30 years of experience in education. He taught in a classroom setting for 20 years teaching all grades from third grade to seniors in high school. For the last 11 years, Ed was a minority owner of a student travel company of 8 full-time staff and 30+ part-time guides in Experiential Learning, traveling to 7 domestic destinations and 12 international countries in Europe and Latin America. As COO of that business, he managed offices in the US and Costa Rica leading a multicultural and dual-lingual staff. Ed was born and raised in the Sonoran desert along the California/Arizona border. He is not only fluent in English and Spanish but is also bi-cultural and a citizen of both the U.S. and Mexico. He made it a life-long endeavor to learn about and enjoy all aspects of the Sonoran Desert. Ed and his wife split their time between homes in San Felipe and Philadelphia. Ed has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame with post-graduate studies in Spain and Mexico.
Our Secretary–Sheri Hufford graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior. She also has a degree in Interpreting for Deaf/Deaf Services from Golden West College. She is a certified Windmills Diversity Trainer. Her career focused on working in programs serving individuals with special needs. In 2017 she retired from the California Department of Developmental Services overseeing Risk Management and Mitigation services in Regional Centers throughout the state.
In addition to her career, Sheri has served as a volunteer on Boards, coalitions, commissions, and task forces for a variety of organizations serving special needs and at-risk populations. In 2013 Senator Lou Correa awarded her with the “Women Making a Difference” award for outstanding public service.
