LETS is certified as an EAGALA Military Services Program. We currently have in-house four EAGALA -certified Equine Specialists and two Mental Health Professionals. LETS adheres to EAGALA standards. More information about EAGALA may be found here: http://www.eagala.org/works.

We are excited to add a BLM Mustang gentling program involving veterans and active military servicemembers. 

Deidre Everist, MS, LCPC, CCMHC, NCC, is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, EAGALA-Certified Mental Health Therapist, and Eco-Therapist. Her training includes mindfulness, self-compassion and resiliency practices with a focus on the healing and restorative power of nature. She is experienced with addictions, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, couples therapy, active duty military, dual military couples, parenting, workplace issues, organizational counseling, gender issues, spirituality, attachment, trauma, and grief and loss.

Leah Eden Chiaverini, LCSW-C, is an EAGALA-Certified Mental Health Therapist experienced working with children, families, and seniors. Leah has a Master of Social Work, Clinical Social Work (Mental Health Specialization) from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and a Bachelors in Psychology from Christopher Newport University. Her volunteer experience includes work with Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Center and Montgomery Hospice.

Program Director:

Emma Hertzberg is an EAGALA-certified Equine Specialist and Professional Health and Wellness Coach. She is experienced working with the veteran and military community. Emma is also a horseback riding instructor and specializes in helping riders achieve relaxation and mindfulness when riding. 

Emma has a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the University of Maryland and is founder of Best Body by Nature. (1) Best Body by Nature | Facebook  

Kris Inman, PhD, is an Eagala-certified Equine Specialist with a military designation and has 40 years of experience working with horses, including horsemanship and equine health. Kris grew up on a horse farm in California, where her parents raised Spanish Barbs, Haflingers and draft mules. Kris is a civilian counterterrorism professional with 15 years of experience working with the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, USAID, and State Department. She deployed to Afghanistan as the lead counter threat finance analyst in Kandahar and has spent time on the ground in many conflict zones around the world, often working alongside the US military. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Davis and teaches part time in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. 

Katie Brewer is an EAGALA-Certified Equine Specialist with years of equine care and management experience and facilitating group recreation activities for children and adults. She and her husband have been involved in Civil War reactment for several years.

Michelle Bess George is a Military Designated EAGALA-Certifed Equine Specialist with years of experience working with injured and wounded veterans and supporting adaptive sports programs.

Michelle was a Clinical Affairs Specialist for Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals for more than a decade and has therapeutic experience in rare diseases, First In Man studies, and PK/PD studies, BA/BE studies, and Food Effect studies.