Our Team
Dana Spett, DSW
Founder & Executive Director
Dana founded Pony Power in 2000 with four riders and one horse, Matinee, a.k.a. Mat. An accomplished equestrian from a young age, Dana started New York University’s equestrian team and competed internationally on the intercollegiate show circuit. After she earned a master’s degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, she gained experience working with special needs populations as a coordinator of child-study teams for school-based programming. When one of her three daughters was diagnosed with mild sensory integration issues, Dana tapped into her horse experience and became a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International-certified instructor. She’s worked with thousands of individuals in the years since and has been the guiding force behind Pony Power’s expansion and growth. In 2023 Dana earned her Doctor of Social Work degree from Rutgers University.
Email: dana@ponypowernj.org
Our Team
Instructional Team
Our instructors are certified or working toward their certification with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. PATH International is the leading accrediting body for the horse-assisted activities industry. All Pony Power instructors are experienced riders who have spent years working with horses. Most began as volunteers here at Pony Power.
- Equine management and horsemanship
- Adaptive equipment and tack modifications
- Disabilities education and teaching strategies
- Instruction and riding skill progression
Morgan came to Pony Power in 2017 as a volunteer. She began riding at age 7, and enjoyed the quiet confidence working with horses gave her. Through volunteering in lessons and on the farm, she realized that her passion was in the field of therapeutic riding in seeing how much both participants and volunteers benefit from being on the farm. She completed her PATH International instructor certification in 2019 and graduated with her bachelor’s in Social Work from Ramapo College in 2020.
Nicole starting riding and working with horses at the age of eight and followed that passion to college where she earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science, a minor in therapeutic horsemanship education, and a Master’s degree in animal science with a focus on equine gut health from the University of Connecticut. Nicole interned at a therapeutic riding center as part of her minor where she discovered the positive impact horses can make on others’ lives and she earned her PATH International instructor certification in 2018. She is excited to be a part of Pony Power where she can continue to make that impact through both horse care and lesson instruction.
Amy started riding at the age of 7 and followed her passion to UConn where she earned a bachelors degree in animal science with a focus in equine business, and a minor in therapeutic horsemanship education. Working as a barn manager and Riding Instructor after college Amy earned her english and western riding instructor certification through the Certified Horsemanship Association, and is now pursuing her certification through PATH. Having volunteered with therapeutic riding programs since high school, Amy loves seeing students grow and looks forward to being a part of that growth through lesson instruction and horse care.
Leigh began volunteering with Pony Power in 2009. Seeing students make progress and grow stronger as a result of therapeutic horseback riding inspired her to resume her own riding education and pursue certification as a PATH International instructor in 2011. Leigh holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University. She brings nearly 20 years of publications and communications experience to her role as program development director.
Abigail began horseback riding at eight years old and is a true believer in the power of spending time in nature. She is a Licensed Social Worker, a PATH certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and, as Pony Power's Program Director, she leads and supervises the entire program team in supporting our participants to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Abigail holds a master's degree in social work from Columbia University and undergraduate degrees from New York University in Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, American Sign Language, and Animal Studies. She is a SIFI-certified supervisor for social work students on both undergraduate and master levels. She has presented at the National Association of Social Workers Conference, PATH International Conference, Rutgers University School of Social Work, and Columbia School of Social Work.
Kim has always had a passion for animals, and enjoys sharing that love of animals with other people. This led to her earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University in 2017. While in North Carolina, she volunteered with a therapeutic riding center and discovered how horses can help people. Once she moved back to New Jersey, she joined Pony Power full time in August of 2019 and now splits her time between the barn, office, and as an instructor.
Emilia began riding at age 8 and took her love of working with horses to Centenary University, where she graduated with a bachelors of science in Equine Studies with a concentration in Equine Business Management. As a freshman in college, she volunteered with the therapeutic riding program at Centenary and became a certified therapeutic riding instructor in 2022. Emilia enjoys forming a partnership with horses and helping other students create meaningful and lifelong bonds with their equine companions through therapeutic lessons. She is happy to be at Pony Power caring for the horses, and looks forward to helping each student grow and thrive to reach their goals.
Matt's love of animals and helping people led him to volunteer at Pony Power in 2021. Seeing how the team and the animals change peoples' lives led him to discover his passion for therapeutic recreation, and he was thrilled to join the Pony Power team full time as Program Assistant in 2024. He is currently working towards his PATH Instructor certification. Matt graduated from the University of Delaware where he earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology and a minor in music, and enjoys sharing his appreciation for nature and art with all who come to the farm.
FARM IN THE FOREST TEAM
TJ’s passion for overall wellness and his unique background in both exercise instruction and food systems will allow Pony Power to expand upon its garden assisted learning program in a new, fun, and interactive way. TJ graduated from Montclair State University in 2017 where he studied Nutrition & Food Science with a concentration in Food Systems. He also holds certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
TJ Alvarez
Assistant Farm Manager
Email: tj@ponypowernj.org
Tracy joined Pony Power after a successful career in public relations and communications, representing educational institutions, government agencies and nonprofits. Tracy’s love of nature and gardening, along with her strong desire to make a true difference in her community, led her to Pony Power and the Farm in the Forest. Tracy is excited to be a part of the garden team and to share the therapeutic benefits of garden environments.
Tracy Rudnick
Assistant Farm Manager
Email: tracy@ponypowernj.org
Nick has a passion for education and agriculture that he is excited to bring to the Farm in the Forest at Pony Power. His interest in farm-based education began in the Children's Farmyard at Shelburne Farms where he connected visitors with the farm products we all rely on. Nick studied Biology at Dickinson College, later earning his middle school teaching license for science from the Teacher Apprenticeship program at Champlain college. He has over 10 years of experience working on vegetable and dairy farms around the northeast. One of his great joys in life is growing, cooking, and of course eating his food!
DEVELOPMENT, Finance and operations team
Michelle joined Pony Power as a development and communications assistant in September 2019. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Clemson University. She brings fundraising experience having served several years on the executive board of the Mahwah Schools Foundation and as a member of other local nonprofit organizations. She is thrilled to be part of the Pony Power team.
Elizabeth joins the Pony Power team as their financial controller and brings more than 15 years of non-profit accounting leadership experience. She has a deep-seated love of nature, enjoys hiking and exploring wildlife, and was introduced to horses and riding at summer camps as a kid. Combining nature and important social programs is a perfect pairing for her, combining her skills to support Pony Power’s mission. She holds an MBA, and a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Financial Management.
Gabrielle’s love of animals, proven by her experience as a puppy raiser for The Seeing Eye, Inc., brought her to volunteer at Pony Power in 2005. From the start, Gabrielle has had a special affinity for our two pigs – Ziggy and Piper. She was asked to join the team as a full-time office manager following her 2010 graduation from Ramapo College of New Jersey where she earned a bachelor’s in international studies and a minor in anthropology.
Emily started riding at age eight and followed her passion of horses to college, where she earned her degree in animal science from Rutgers University. After graduating, Emily worked as an equine veterinary technician, but discovered that her passion was in the field of therapeutic riding when she started volunteering at Pony Power. Emily joined Pony Power’s staff full time in early 2019, working both in horse care and as an instructor.
Alanna feels incredibly fortunate to be a part of Pony Power Therapies, where the dignity and potential of all people are celebrated every day. She joined the organization in August 2022 as part-time Communications Manager, and loves highlighting the animals and people who make Pony Power so special.