Charlotte Dougherty is the founder and executive director of SpiritHorse Equine Assisted Services, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people through second-chance animals. With a deep belief in resilience, healing, and connection, Charlotte has built SpiritHorse into a safe and inclusive place where individuals of all ages and abilities can grow, heal, and rediscover their strength.

Drawing from her own journey of recovery and personal transformation, Charlotte understands firsthand the power of support, purpose, and compassion. Her lived experience fuels her passion for serving veterans, at-risk youth, individuals with diverse abilities, seniors, families, and those facing mental health challenges. Under her leadership, SpiritHorse now serves hundreds of participants each month through therapeutic and adaptive riding, equine-assisted learning, horsemanship programs, memory care and hospice visits, youth empowerment camps, and veteran-focused services.

Charlotte is especially passionate about giving second chances—not only to people, but to animals. Many of the horses and ponies at SpiritHorse come from challenging backgrounds, and their stories of resilience mirror the journeys of the participants they serve. This powerful connection creates meaningful, life-changing experiences rooted in trust, empathy, and healing.

Known for her heart-centered leadership and hands-on approach, Charlotte works closely with her team, volunteers, community partners, and board of directors to continually expand programs and access to care. Her vision is grounded in the belief that healing happens in relationship—with horses, with community, and with oneself.

Charlotte’s mission is simple yet profound: to create a place where hope is restored, confidence is built, and lives are changed—one human and one horse at a time.

Michael Guinane is a seasoned entrepreneur who embarked on his business journey 25 years ago, establishing a reputable presence in the moving and storage industry. Starting from the ground up, he has successfully navigated the complexities of economic fluctuations, adapting his business model to thrive in both challenging and prosperous times. As a proud partner of Wheaton Van Lines, he has expanded his operations to include a fleet of large trucks that service all 48 contiguous states, demonstrating his commitment to quality and reliability.

Throughout his career, Michael has coordinated numerous overseas moves, showcasing his ability to manage logistics on a global scale. His dedication to customer satisfaction and operational excellence has allowed him to build lasting relationships within the industry and with clients. Beyond his professional achievements, he is also a devoted father, taking pride in his daughter and the values he instills in her through his hard work and perseverance. Michael's journey reflects a remarkable blend of resilience, ambition, and a commitment to community, making him a respected figure in the moving and storage sector.

Born and raised in the Napa Valley, Dana is a fifth generation cattle rancher who comes from the longest standing ranching family in the area that is still running cattle. Having grown up using horses on the ranch, her love of the animal quickly turned into a passion and a desire to compete. Over her show career, Dana has won 2 World Championships in cutting. But she will tell you, the best part of ranching and showing cutting and cow horses is doing it with her husband and her daughter. Being a 4H Leader herself, she enjoys sharing her love and passion for horses with the next generation and truly appreciates the incredible work that SpiritHorse does for everyone in our community, particularly with our youth programs.

Dr. Alicia Benson (Cooper), DVM, CVA, CVMMP, is the founder and lead veterinarian of Premier Equine Veterinary Services, where she provides individualized, high-quality care for equine athletes and companion horses throughout Northern California. Raised in the Bay Area, Dr. Benson developed a lifelong passion for horses through riding and showing Arabian horses in endurance rides, drill team competitions, and regional and national horse shows. 

Dr. Benson earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where she held leadership roles in the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Society for Theriogenology. She also completed her undergraduate studies in Animal Science at California Polytechnic State University. Her professional interests include sports medicine, lameness, reproduction, preventative care, and integrative therapies. 

Committed to a whole-horse approach, Dr. Benson pursued advanced certifications through the Chi Institute in Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA) and Veterinary Medical Manipulation (CVMMP/chiropractic), allowing her to blend traditional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies tailored to each patient. 

Since launching Premier Equine Veterinary Services in 2022, Dr. Benson has built a reputation for compassionate, personalized care and strong client relationships. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys trail riding, local cattle events, wine tasting, and spending time with her family and dogs.