Terra Schaad, LPC, SEP
Founder & Executive Director
Terra Schaad, is the Executive Director and founder of Hunkapi Programs, Inc., in Scottsdale, Arizona where the focus is “teaching the world to fear less and love more” through equine assisted psychotherapy and somatic healing. Terra holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University, a Master of Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University and holds specialty training in Somatic Experience. In the years 2010-2012, Terra had the extraordinary opportunity to live in Italy and work at the University of Iowa’s CIMBA, and international MBA Business program. Her time there allowed her to lead and coach international students and executives through a rigorous leadership development program while researching the effect of mindfulness on emotional regulation in leadership and the workplace. In recent years, Terra has created a trademarked the Somatic Equine Experience ©, a curriculum specific for working with First Responders living with PTSD. In March 2024, Terra traveled to Israel to train the curriculum to trauma therapists and soldiers coming out of battle. Her passion for helping people heal through trauma with grace, compassion and a little bit of humor has given way to her speaking to numerous groups of people, organizations, and leaders including the United States Prosecuting Attorney Association, Utah Prosecuting Attorney Association, and Scottdale Police Department. Terra has been honored by the Arizona Capitol Times with the “Women Achievers of Arizona in 2019”, recognized by Governor Douglas A. Ducey when given the State of Arizona Commendation in 2020, and was honored with the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2023 Outstanding Women in Business Award and “20 Names to Know in Valley” for Nonprofits. She is a three-time Ironman Finisher and recently fulfilled a long-time goal of running the Boston Marathon. Terra combines her education, intuition, and experience to observe and interpret individual and group behavior while giving immediate, tangible feedback that will challenge you to move mindfully and live optimally.
Seth Jenkins
Clinical Supervisor
Seth has been working in the behavioral health field since 2005 when he began as a Behavioral Health Technician while putting himself through graduate school. Seth has had a broad range of experience and titles. Seth has enjoyed being a leader of groups as a facilitator, as well as a leader of clinical teams through program direction, development and clinical supervision. Seth was employed by Calvary Healing Center until June 2016 and served numerous roles from primary therapist to Director of Outpatient services.
Sandi Carretero
Operations Director
Sandi is a Jersey girl born and raised who fell in love with Arizona while following her first career path as an Entertainment Venue Manager. While working major sporting and music events Sandi became passionate about Hunkapi through three years of volunteer service and seized the opportunity to take on a new role as the Director of Operations.
Ray Wood
Business Operations Manager
Ray was born in Michigan but raised in Michigan and Ohio. He first got into the mental and behavioral health world in 2009 when he lived in Bullhead City AZ. Since then, Ray has worked at several companies and earned his bachelor’s in behavioral science, and his master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with courses in Organizational Behavior Management. Doing this work, he found a real calling and love for helping people and companies. His belief is, “If you change people, you change the world; and when you help the youth of the world, you make the future a better place."
Jennifer Benacci
Behavioral Health Practitioner
Jen grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania where her journey and passion for horses began at the age of 5 when a neighbor gave her and her siblings a Shetland pony. Having the opportunity to care for, ride, and show horses led to an awareness and appreciation of horses’ innate ability to help us see our strengths, heal and work through our challenges. Jen graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies and a Master degree in Education. Jen is grateful to support a diverse client population working to increase personal awareness, access strength, and heal from emotional trauma by utilizing the power and grace of our herd.
Sandra Dantes
Licensed Master Social Worker
Sandra describes her role as a therapist as her life’s calling. She is passionate about helping children and adults to overcome barriers that prevent them from living the best versions of themselves. Sandra’s clinical focus is trauma informed care, equine assisted psychotherapy, addiction & recovery, somatic therapies, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic disease/terminal illness. Her approach to therapy is strength based and layered with compassion providing individual, group, and family therapies tailored to meet the needs of her clients.
Diana Unaitis
PATH-CTRI, BHT
Born in Portland, Oregon, Diana was raised on a farm with six brothers and sisters. At an early age she became involved in the local 4-H program where she showed sheep and horses. Specializing in horses, she competed in long distance trail rides, county fairs, and open shows. As her passion for horses grew, she began training and showing many different breeds of domesticated horses, as well as wild mustangs. At the age of 16 she began volunteering at a therapeutic riding stable, where the Executive Director introduced her to dressage eventing horses. Diana has been with Hunkapi Programs for 22 years and has seen the ever growing love of the farm each and every day.
Gabbie Krause
BHT
Gabbie is a California native who fell in love with Arizona while attending Northern Arizona University. After completing her undergraduate degree at NAU in Learning and Pedagogy, Gabbie went on to pursue her Master’s in Elementary Education from ASU. At Hunkapi, she combines her passions of teaching, riding horses, and farm life at large. As a young girl, Gabbie rode as a show-jumper and still holds many memories of how peaceful and free horses made her feel. As an adult, she enjoys sharing that passion with clients at Hunkapi. Her favorite part of working at the farm is matching clients with horses that will brighten their smile and open their heart. When she isn’t in session, Gabbie enjoys grooming and connecting with horses Jimmy, Gorgeous, and Ari.
Amy Schecterson
PATH - Equine Specialist, BHT
Amy holds a certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH Int’l and has recently completed a micro credential in the Psychology of Emotions from Cornell University. She also serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. Amy believes that by bringing more humans-to-horses and horses-to-humans, the lives of both can be saved. She is the proud horse-mom to two Arabian geldings and has volunteered many hours with the Amateur Committee of the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona. As an Equine Behavioral Health Technician at Hunkapi, Amy is embracing her passion for horses and helping others; she sees first-hand the dynamic shifts taking place in partnership with horses, and the best part is that one does not need to be a horsey person to get amazing results with equine facilitated interventions.
Luz & Mario
Farm Caretakers
Luz & Mario have been taking care of the farm for the past 24 years. They are a huge asset to Hunkapi Farms as they care for every single individual animal from feeding them to building items needed on the farm. We appreciate everything they do for the farm!
Melissa Garner
HR Manager
Melissa's more detailed bio will be available soon.
Toni Keberlein
Volunteer Coordinator
Toni Keberlein recently moved to Scottsdale from Flagstaff. She joined Hunkapi as a volunteer in September 2020 after retiring from a 20+ year career in education as both a teacher and most recently, a school administrator. Having worked with many different populations of students over the years, Hunkapi seemed like the perfect place to volunteer especially since she always loved being around horses. She became a member of the staff in January of 2021.
Jill Rivera
Sales & Marketing Associate
Jill Rivera joined Hunkapi Programs in the beginning of June 2021. Jill is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and grew up around many different animals. Jill has a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries with a diverse client base. She previously worked for a local magazine publication and PR marketing firm where she gained experience in events, client service, sales, project management, marketing, and social media. She went to Phoenix College and graduated in 2016 with an Associate's Degree in digital photography. She is currently working on her Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate through ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Alongside these skillsets, she is a professional portrait photographer who has won awards at Phoenix College for her work as well as shown at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Roxanne Holcomb
Compliance & Quality Improvement Specialist
The beautiful state of Arizona and all it has to offer brought Roxanne here in 1979. She started out her career in the medical industry. This gave a path to many different opportunities, most of which consisted of practice management for family care as well as surgical specialties. Roxanne also attended a surgical technology program and graduated with honors. While managing practices, her love of horses never went unnoticed and eventually brought her to running a very large equine facility for boarding and training in the Cave Creek area.
Kristi Shambaugh
Team Building Facilitator
Kristi Shambaugh began volunteering at Hunkapi Programs in February 2019 and joined the staff later that year as a part-time HR Representative. Kristi leverages her years of experience in HR and training environments in large corporations to help build and guide practices at Hunkapi. Her love for the mission and work of the organization, as well as admiration for the two and four-legged staff, inspires her desire to make a difference with her contributions.
Cat Ziman
Intake Specialist
Cat was born in Los Angeles where she fell in love with horses by spending as much time as possible at her aunt's barn. By 13, she already had her first job mucking stalls and feeding the animals on a neighbor’s property – all to pay board. Soon she was giving kids horseback riding lessons teaching them everything from tacking a horse up to horsemanship skills. Since moving to Arizona, Cat has continued to stay connected with the horse world by managing a tack store, continuing to give lessons, and joining the Hunkapi team. Her role allows her to combine her passion for horses, her interest in mental health support, and her desire to teach kids all into one! When not at work, Cat is working towards her psychology degree. Her dream is to have a small, hobby farm where she can raise animals of all types.
Isabella Wells
Executive Assistant
Born in upstate New York, Issy received her BS in Animal Sciences with a minor in Criminology from Colorado State University. Last year she completed her MS in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Her dissertation was on horse behavior and equine assisted therapy. In December 2022, Issy volunteered with Asian Elephants in the mountains of Chiang Mai, Thailand where she promoted ethical ecotourism and researched the health of elephants. When she isn’t at the farm, Issy loves competing in 3-day eventing, playing instruments, and reading. Issy is also a local fantasy indie author.
Mitzy Castro
Receptionist
Mitzy's more detailed bio will be added soon.
Want to Join Our Staff?
Thank you for your interest in Hunkapi Programs! We are always looking for dedicated professionals to join our team. Below are the listings of jobs we are looking to fill.
If you would like to be considered for a position not listed below, please send your resume and cover sheet to love@hunkapi.org so we can keep you in mind if a position becomes available!