Our Horses
In Memory of Hank
2002-2024
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Bourbon
Benji
Ferdinand
Board of Directors
President - Founder/Program Director
Dana Cooke is a retired elementary public school teacher of 26 years. She had a lifelong dream of owning her own horse, and that dream finally came true when Hank came into her life in May of 2018. With her teaching experience and the memory of Hank in her heart, she wants to share the healing power horses can give back to kids and adults with life challenges.
Co-VP - Marketing/Community Outreach
Alix Yokabitis is originally from Michigan but has lived in North Carolina since 2010. She received her Masters in Social Work from NC State University in 2012 and worked with adults and children with disabilities for 7 years before deciding to stay home with her two boys in 2017.
Alix loves spending time with her family, cooking, reading, watching true crime shows, and playing with horses every chance she gets!
Co-VP - Grant/Sponsorship Chair
Katie Canelo is the quintessential "Crazy Horse Lady". She has a grand total of 23 animals, which includes 2 horses, 2 dogs, 4 cats, a vast number of chickens, and a hedgehog named Olivia. Katie grew up explaining to her mom that yes, they could fit a horse in their 1/3 acre backyard, but her mom never fell for it, so Katie continued that love of equines into her adult years and recued her first horse at the age of 37. Katie met Dana, the Five Hearts founder, in a Harris Teeter parking lot doing a Facebook Marketplace deal and they instantly connected. Besides being a proud member of Five Hearts, Katie is also a Special Olympics equestrian coach in Johnston County, a mom to 3, wife of a husband who is suspicious every time she comes home with a new animal, and a technology director at a local video game company.
Secretary
Rachel Freund has been a public elementary school teacher since 2000. She and Dana, our founder, taught at the same school together for many years! It was only natural for Rachel to get involved with Five Hearts shortly after Dana started it. It quickly became her favorite place to spend time and find peace.
In addition to spending time at the farm, Rachel loves to spend time with her three kids, take care of her many, many plants, and read all the books!
Treasurer
Nikki was born and raised in North Carolina, attended NC State, and is dedicated in helping rural communities in NC by working for the USDA.
After losing her own horse in 2011 and many years missing the love and companionship horses bring, Nikki randomly found Five Hearts Therapeutic Horsemanship. She began volunteering in late 2024 to reconnect with horses, and quickly learned that the Five Hearts students also hold a special place in her heart.
In her free time, Nikki enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and scuba diving!”
Board Member - Safety/Emergency
Kathy Etheridge has been teaching elementary school since 1998. She grew up here in NC (local girl) and is now raising her two kids, Jayce and Baylee, and her perfect maltipoo, Jolene, here as well. Kathy, Dana, and Rachel have worked together for many years and her daughter started volunteering at Five Hearts two years ago so it was only natural that Kathy got involved too!
Kathy loves her family time, snuggling with her puppy, and all things summer!
Board Member - Volunteer Outreach
Bailey Watson started out with Five Hearts as a volunteer back in 2021 but quickly got more involved as her love for Five Hearts grew. Hoping to get involved in the nonprofit world when she was older, she asked Dana to intern for the group. One thing led to another and that internship led to her current spot on the board.
Bailey recently graduated from UNC - Chapel Hill with a Biology and Global Studies degree. She hopes to take her skills and one day become a Physician's Assistant. In her free time she enjoys playing pickle ball and volleyball with friends.
Board Member - Farm Liaison
Julie Hoyes
Location
3 Bluebirds Farm
5101 Holland Church Rd.
Raleigh, NC. 27603
Contact Us
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