Our Mission / Our Team
Our Mission: To empower children with special needs through compassionate, inclusive equine therapy programs that inspire growth, confidence, and a better quality of life.
Our gentle, highly trained horses help improve balance, coordination, and self-esteem—while giving children the joy of connecting with these
remarkable animals in a peaceful, natural environment.
Founded in 2023 in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Equinoterapia SMA, A.C. is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children with special needs
through the transformative power of the human–horse connection.
At EquinoTerapia SMA,
we offer equine therapy in a safe, nurturing setting where children with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges build confidence, independence, and well-being.
We’re a passionate team of board members, staff, and community partners united to
support children with special needs in San Miguel de Allende. Blending nonprofit and business expertise with real heart, we turn compassion into action—empowering children,
supporting families, and creating lasting impact.
Jean L. Gerber
Founder & President Jean is a respected nonprofit leader and community advocate whose work has long focused on strengthening families and expanding opportunities within San Miguel de Allende. Following a successful career in commercial real estate in New York, Miami, and San Francisco, she made San Miguel her home in 2002.
She later served as Executive Director and Board Member of Casita Linda, a widely admired nonprofit dedicated to building homes for families in need throughout the region. A lifelong horsewoman deeply inspired by the transformative impact of equine therapy in her own life, Jean envisioned creating a program where horses could help children and families build confidence, connection, and resilience. In 2023, alongside a distinguished team of equestrian, business, and medical professionals, she founded Equinoterapia SMA.
Executive DirectorWenda Puzzo
Wenda brings decades of executive leadership, operational growth, and business development experience to her role as Executive Director. Throughout her career, she has remained driven by one core mission — building organizations that create meaningful impact for the people they serve, whether employees, clients, patients, or the broader community.
As COO of Audio Xcellence, Wenda expanded the company from a single retail location to eight stores and more than 180 employees. She later supported the growth of multiple technology companies through sales, marketing, and strategic consulting in Silicon Valley. As Founder and COO of National Specialty Pharmacy, she launched and scaled the company expanding into 29 states in the US serving terminally ill patients connected to the U.S. nuclear program.
Wenda leads EquinoTerapiaSMA with a people-first approach, focused on expanding access to life-changing equine therapy programs for individuals and families in the community.
Constance M. Sheehan
Board Member – Clinical and Strategic AdvisorConstance M. Sheehan, Ph.D., LCSW is a psychotherapist, consultant, and educator with more than two decades of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate complex relational and life transitions. Her work integrates relational, somatic (mind–body), and neuroscience-informed approaches to support healing, communication, and emotional well-being.
Dr. Sheehan has taught in graduate programs at institutions including Northwestern University’s Family Institute, the University of Denver, and DePaul University. She has completed advanced training through Harvard Medical School in Mind–Body Medicine and Positive Psychology and is a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher through the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
She brings extensive clinical, academic, and consulting experience to the board of Equinoterapia SMA.
Jim Kraus
Secretary & Vice-PresidentAfter a successful career as an advertising Creative Director in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas, Jim brought his lifelong commitment to creativity and community service to San Miguel de Allende, where he has lived full-time since 2021 and works from his art studio in Colonia San Antonio.
His dedication to supporting individuals with diverse abilities began early, spending his college summers teaching art to developmentally disabled young adults living in group homes. As the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, Jim also brings deep, personal insight into the experiences of neurodiverse children and their families.
His perspective is shaped by both compassion and lived experience, as well as a profound belief in the importance of therapeutic programs that foster confidence, connection, and communities where every individual is valued and accepted.
Alan Rodriguez
Secretary & Vice-PresidentA Certified Public Accountant with specialized expertise in nonprofit and tax-deductible organizations, Alan brings more than a decade of experience strengthening the financial integrity and long-term sustainability of mission-driven initiatives. Throughout his career, he has guided social impact organizations in building sound financial structures, implementing transparent reporting practices, and developing responsible strategies for growth and stewardship.
As Treasurer, Alan is deeply committed to the principle that financial transparency is the foundation of trust — empowering organizations to expand their reach, strengthen donor confidence, and create lasting impact within the communities they serve. Combining technical expertise with a passion for service, he plays a vital role in ensuring the organization’s resources are managed with accountability, integrity, and care.
Board MemberMike Koen
Board MemberMike brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience with Sears Roebuck, where he developed deep expertise in managing complex operations, strategic growth, and large organizational budgets. Throughout his career, he has combined strong financial stewardship with a longstanding commitment to nonprofit leadership and community service.
His work in the nonprofit sector began in Chicago, where he served on the Executive Committee of SCORE from 2003 to 2008, and later with CJE SeniorLife, where he has continued his service since 2004. Since relocating to San Miguel de Allende, Mike has generously shared his financial expertise and leadership with several respected local nonprofits, including Casita Linda and Feed the Hungry.
Together with his wife Joyce, Mike also co-founded Niños con Autismo, a therapeutic center dedicated to providing testing, training, and essential resources for children on the autism spectrum and their families. His work reflects a deep belief in creating inclusive communities where children of all abilities are supported, understood, and given the opportunity to thrive.
Lizeth Martínez
Director of Therapeutic Services & Certified Equine TherapistLizeth Martínez is a highly qualified Certified Equine Therapist with extensive experience in therapeutic riding and equine therapy. She earned her certification through Concepto GRONAR, endorsed by FEMTE and FEM, and has completed specialized training in hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and equine-assisted interventions.
With more than 12 years of experience, Lizeth has worked with children, adolescents, and adults supporting a broad range of physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. Her approach combines science-based therapeutic techniques, horse-assisted activities, and individualized treatment planning to foster measurable progress and emotional well-being.
Hope Boland
Hope Haywood Boland has dedicated more than four decades to philanthropy, child advocacy, and community service across the United States and Canada, with a lifelong focus on supporting children, families, the arts, and therapeutic riding programs.
Throughout her years in Chicago, Jacksonville, Montreal, and California’s Santa Ynez Valley, Hope served in numerous nonprofit and advocacy roles supporting hospitals, museums, children’s organizations, and therapeutic riding programs. Her work included service with children’s hospitals, youth advocacy programs, and equine therapy organizations, as well as community initiatives focused on improving quality of life for vulnerable children and families.
Hope brings to the board a deep passion for therapeutic horsemanship, extensive nonprofit leadership experience, and a heartfelt commitment to helping others through compassionate community service.