Our Board
The Heart of Horse Sense Board of Directors has volunteer members, in addition to founder Shannon Knapp.
Shannon Knapp
Founder & Executive Director
Shannon is an EAGALA Advanced Certified Equine Specialist, a Trauma-Focused EAP trainer, and has over 5000 hours working with clients with Therapeutic Horsemanship Programming
William Kelley
Chairperson of the Board
William Kelley was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a physician assistant degree and practiced family and emergency medicine in southwest Georgia for 17 years before coming to Western North Carolina in 2005. He now practices at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. He has two adult children and lives in Murphy with his menagerie of horses, goats and his dog.
Alida Woods
Vice Chairperson of the Board
Alida is a career educator having served in both Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools as a teacher and the principal of Isaac Dickson Elementary School.
As both a teacher and principal, she worked closely with Children First/ Communities in Schools to leverage experiences for under-served children in Buncombe County. Her work as both a Board member of CFCIS and as a teacher, led her to MeadowsTown Road/Heart of Horse Sense, where she continues to be amazed at how horses can heal and inspire young children.
Sidney Mashburn
Treasurer of the Board
Bio and Photo Coming Soon!
Amanda Watkins
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Asheville, with a background in non-profit management, training, and conflict resolution. Her experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma and grief led her to get involved with HOHS as a way to support the healing and connection that can be found in equine assisted therapy.
Dr. John Faherty
Dr. John Faherty serves Asheville and broader WNC as an animal chiropractor. He was certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1998, and has served as an examiner, board member, and lecturer. Dr. John’s first chiropractic practice in Asheville was for humans, as one of Asheville’s earliest chiropractors back in 1985. He has been an adjunct professor at UNCA, and has served on numerous local boards over the years. Dr. John has worked with various equine programs, including Horse Sense, and greatly appreciates how animals enrich our lives. In his spare time, he enjoys walking in the woods, gardening, playing music with friends, and spending time with his family.
Margo McGeorge
Margo is a navy veteran who served in the West Indies - where she met her late husband - as well as California and Panama. She has lived in Asheville for 17 years. Margo graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in English and most of her work experience has been in office settings. She currently works part-time as office coordinator for her spiritual center.