About Orchardview Stables
Our mission is to nurture body, mind and spirit through God and horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer trail rides or riding lessons to the general public?
As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to serving veterans and first responders, therefore, we do not offer riding lessons, trail rides, pony parties, or horse boarding to the general public.
Do you offer therapeutic riding for people with special needs?
Our horses provided an adapted riding program for over 10 years. We discontinued the program in January of 2026 and now focus solely on the Horses Helping Heroes program.
Do you take in donated horses?
Our current space and programs do not warrant the need for additional horses at this time.
Do you board horses at your facility?
Due to the programs that we have running throughout the year and lack of space for additional horses, we do not have the availability to board horses at our farm.
I’m experienced with horses, can I volunteer to ride your horses?
Our dedicated staff of equine professionals provides all training, schooling and conditioning for our horses. Since our staff works with the horses every day, and are experienced in multiple disciplines, they are able to provide our horses with whatever they may need.
Can I volunteer to spend time with your horses?
The care and management of our horses is our top priority. We have staff that are responsible for daily care and feeding. Our biggest need for volunteers is barn and stall cleaning which is done daily. Throughout the year we usually have needs for volunteers to help with events, maintenance of the grounds, tack cleaning, etc. Volunteers who help on a consistent basis are given first option to sign up for additional jobs that arise. For safety reasons, all volunteers must be at least 14 years old. When we need volunteers we will schedule a Volunteer Orientation, which will be posted to our Facebook and Instagram pages.
I am a student and need volunteer hours for a school program. Can I get them at OVS?
Yes, but make sure you plan ahead—all volunteers must attend an orientation and are expected to volunteer on a regular schedule. We cannot accommodate volunteers looking for hours at short notice, or those who only wish to volunteer one time.
Can I stop by to see your facility, pet the horses and/or watch some lessons?
To protect the privacy and confidentiality of our participants, we do not allow drop-in visits. In addition, we are a working farm, so for the safety of visitors, all visits to the farm are by appointment only. If you wish to see the facility and would like to meet the animals, consider attending a fundraising event that we host throughout the year. You can find out more about our events by joining our email newsletter list or following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you accept donations of tack and horse equipment?
For the most part, we are happy to accept donations of used tack and equipment. Some of it we can put right to use, other items we can sell to raise money for our program. For the safety of our horses and participants, and to save you time and energy bringing items to the farm that cannot be used, please email or call us prior to dropping the items off so we can assess the useability of your items for our needs.
Orchardview Stables Staff Members
Tessa Maxwell
Executive Director, CTRI, Equine Professional
Tessa earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Slippery Rock University, with certifications in Elementary and Special Education. She worked as a special education teacher at Linton Middle School in the Penn Hills School District for 2 years until she moved to Suffolk, Virginia with her husband, Bill. Bill worked as a police officer and K9 handler for the city of Suffolk and Tessa worked as a special education teacher at E.W. Chittum Elementary School, Chesapeake Public Schools. After their two daughters were born, Bill and Tessa decided to move back home to Wexford to be closer to family.
After moving home, Tessa worked for her family’s business managing a retail department and also assisting with marketing and event planning. She started helping Mary Kay with teaching lessons because she was knowledgeable about horses and riding and could use her teaching experience to help others. In 2015 Tessa became a PATH Int. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and professional member. She is grateful for a calling where she can share her love for the farm that she grew up on with her educational background to make a difference in the lives of others.
Mary Kay Soergel
Facilities Director, Riding Instructor
Mary Kay has been fortunate to own, show, train and enjoy horses most of her life. She has participated in many clinics and apprenticeships emphasizing natural horsemanship and the bond that forms between horse and rider. She practiced as a registered nurse in a variety of settings for 40 years. In addition to working as a nurse, she raised 4 kids and worked with her husband, Richard in the greenhouses they had on their farm where she started all the vegetable plants their family grew from seed. In 2023 Mary Kay and Richard built a new greenhouse so Mary Kay can get back to her love of growing flowers and herbs and planting a cutting garden. She is excited to share her green thumb and love of growing herbs, flowers and vegetables with the participants at OVS.
Mary Kay attended Mercy School of Nursing, has been certified as a riding instructor through CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) and is a member of AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association).