I’m Ada Haensel, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, and I’m the founder and Executive Director of Speaking of Horses Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings together my two greatest passions: speech-language pathology and therapeutic horseback riding. Through this program, I provide equine-assisted speech therapy to children with communication challenges from low-income families across Central Virginia, creating transformative outcomes for those who might not otherwise have access to specialized services.
I’m a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education, where I earned both my Bachelor’s degree (with high honors) and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, maintaining a 3.9 GPA throughout my graduate studies. My clinical experience spans diverse settings including pediatric outpatient therapy, public school systems, and specialized therapeutic education. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with children and adults facing a wide range of communication challenges—from autism spectrum disorder and language disorders to social communication difficulties and articulation concerns—always bringing my commitment to innovative, compassionate care to every therapeutic relationship.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​