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The Healing Horses Advisory Board was established in September 2008 to enhance the relationship between
the Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Center and its Riders and their Parents/Caregivers. The
Advisory Board is a group of individuals representing many diverse fields, professions, and
communities. The Advisory Board convenes quarterly to provide advice, advocacy, access,
leverage and resources for the Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Center.
The overall goal of the Advisory Board is to aid, foster, encourage, and promote Therapeutic Riding
within the Coachella Valley.
Specific objectives for the Advisory Board are to provide advice and counsel to the Executive Director;
To promote the goals and objectives of Healing Horses to all its constituent communities, including
Riders, parents, and the local community of educators, therapists and friends; To promote an
understanding of the distinctive role of Therapeutic Riding and its benefits to typical and
special needs children; To aid the Executive Director in seeking public and private support for
the Center.
Michelle Ortega brings extensive experience in the fields of Special Education Law, Family Law,
Guardianships & Conservatorships. Ms. Ortega attended Whittier Law School ("Whittier"),
and volunteered within the Special Education and Domestic Violence Clinic therein. During
her time at Whittier, Ms. Ortega received first hand training in dealing with Special Education
matters in order to assist indigent families with obtaining appropriate placement and services
for their children with special needs. The clinic allowed Ms. Ortega to learn valuable
advocacy skills, negotiation methods and legal training in this uniquely specialized field of law. Ms.
Ortega also assisted women and children who were victims of domestic violence to rebuild their lives. Also
during law school, Ms. Ortega interned for the Children's Law Center where she advocated for children
who were taken from their parents for neglect and abuse in order to ensure that their voices were heard. Since
the inception of her career, Ms. Ortega has dedicated herself to fighting for families and their civil rights.
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