About Mended Sparrow
OUR PURPOSE
To support the overall well-being of service members, veterans, first responders, similarly situated individuals, and their families through equine-assisted services as they navigate life’s challenges.
Our Core Values
- Safe Environment
- Committed to a space of physical, emotional, and psychological security.
- Individual Journey
- Healing has no set timeline.
- Empowerment Growth
- Building confidence, resilience, and physical strength through self-discovery.
- Staying Connected
- Fostering connections within yourself and with others.
Our Mission
To create a safe, timeline-free environment for service members, veterans, first responders, similarly situated individuals, and their families, where empowered growth and strengthened connections are fostered through equine-assisted services.
Our Vision
To see those who serve and protect, along with their families, find a place of safety, timeless growth, and enduring connections through equine-assisted services. We envision empowered lives and communities strengthened by resilience, where each person is uplifted through connection, compassion, and the unique experiences shared with horses.
Who We Are
Mended Sparrow, Inc. (MSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Mechanicsville, VA providing Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) — through Equine-Assisted Learning, Equine-Assisted Coaching, Horsemanship, and Team Building — at no cost to our heroes and their families.
Led by a husband-and-wife team, both retired from military service, MSI is based on a small farm in Mechanicsville, Virginia. We welcome service members, veterans, first responders, similarly situated individuals, and their families—those who have dedicated their lives to serving, caring, and protecting our country and communities.
Why It Matters
We understand that life’s challenges can show up in many ways—impacting resilience, physical health, relationships, and emotional well-being. They can shake a sense of purpose, create uncertainty, or disrupt connection with others.
At Mended Sparrow, we’re committed to providing a safe, timeline-free environment where resilience is rebuilt, empowered growth is nurtured, and meaningful connection is formed. Through equine-assisted services, we walk alongside each individual or family on their unique journey—fostering strength, community, and renewal.
We’re Not Therapy — But the Impact Is Real
At Mended Sparrow, we offer equine-assisted services grounded in coaching, learning, horsemanship, and team building. These services are not therapy—we do not diagnose, treat, or operate as a clinical provider. Our programs are designed to strengthen resilience, communication, connection, and self-awareness through intentional, ground-based experiences with horses.
We also provide team building experiences for businesses and organizations, designed to enhance leadership, trust, and collaboration. All proceeds support our mission, allowing us to continue serving military, veterans, first responders, and their families at our Mechanicsville, Virginia farm—always at no cost to them.
For individuals in need of a clinical approach, we partner with licensed professionals—including LCSWs, LPCs, and other mental health providers—who offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) on-site. These services are delivered independently by credentialed therapists using our facilities and contracted access to our herd.
This unique model allows us to support both non-clinical personal development and clinically-led therapy, depending on the needs of the individual, family, or group.
Meet our team
Board of Directors
Founder/President/
Executive Director
Shahnaz Deyette is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from
December 1995 until her medical
retirement in 2012. She was the second woman in her family to
join the military and completed multiple deployments, including a WestPac in 1996,
a 2004 deployment to Fallujah, Iraq—where she served in a combat zone and sustained
injuries—Kuwait in 2007, and a Mediterranean cruise in 2010.
Determined not to let her injuries define her, Shahnaz went
on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Regent University in 2015 and
a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Liberty University in
2018. She proudly represented Team USA at the 2016 Invictus Games, competing in
rowing and powerlifting.
She is a wife and mother of three, with two children
currently serving in the Navy and one
involved in JROTC, who upon graduation plans to join the
National Guard and has been accepted to George Mason University. Shahnaz is the
founder of Mended Sparrow, Inc., a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted
services through learning and coaching experiences for service members,
veterans, first responders, and their families—at no cost. Her work focuses on building
awareness, communication, and connection through hands-on interaction with horses,
offering a practical, experiential approach that carries over into everyday
life.
Treasurer
William “Beau” Walters is a retired Navy Surface Ordnance CWO4 with 24 years of service from 1997 to 2021. He served on five ships and with Special Warfare and completed fourteen deployments in various operations. He holds a Master of Science in Business Performance Improvement from the University of Arkansas at Grantham. Beau was diagnosed with three TBIs that caused depression and anxiety. He advocates for mental health improvement through camaraderie, communication, and community. He resides in Williamsburg, Va.
Board Member
Lory has been a dedicated member of the Richmond Police Department’s professional staff since 2020. In 2022, she joined the department’s Critical Incident Stress Management/Peer Support Team (CISM/PST), where she currently serves as Secretary. Her work in peer support reflects her passion for mental wellness and helping others through difficult seasons.
Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Lory’s love for horses began in childhood when she helped groom a classmate’s uncle’s horses. She quickly discovered the calming effect these animals had on her and often visited them as a way to relieve stress. That early connection left a lasting impression and continues to shape her belief in the healing nature of horses.
Lory was married to a former Marine and supported him through his journey with combat-related mental health struggles. During that time, she experienced firsthand the emotional weight carried by spouses of veterans. Even in the most difficult moments, she found comfort simply by looking at pictures of horses.
That experience deepened her belief in the mission of Mended Sparrow. She knows what it’s like to feel unseen in your struggle, and she’s passionate about walking alongside other’s who have loved ones battling similar challenges. Through her journey, Lory offers a voice of compassion, connection, and hope to those navigating their own path toward healing.
Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee Member
Tina Brazier retired in August 2025 after a 40-year career with Elevance Health, one of the largest multinational health insurance companies. Throughout her career, she specialized in Project Management and strategic development, creating robust Learning and Development programs that empowered associates across the organization.
Her passion for helping others thrive extended well beyond her professional work. Tina has volunteered as a mentor for underprivileged middle school students and has served with community organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Feedmore.
Tina moved to the Richmond area at age nine, where her love for horses began at a small neighborhood stable she could walk to. She spent every moment she could grooming, riding, and simply being near the horses. That early passion resurfaced years later when she and her husband purchased 70 acres in Caroline County and brought horses back into their lives. Over the past decade, Tina has been active in the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, traveling to competitions whenever possible.
When Tina learned about the mission and vision of Mended Sparrow, she immediately felt a strong connection and knew she wanted to be part of the work. She now serves on our Advisory Committee, bringing her leadership experience, community-centered mindset, and lifelong dedication to learning and service to the Mended Sparrow team.
Advisory Committee Member
Nora Ciancio is an attorney at Goodman Allen Donnelly, PLLC and is based out of the firm’s Richmond office. Nora’s first job out of law school was in disability law with a healthcare nonprofit in the greater Richmond area. She transitioned to healthcare defense in 2017 with Goodman Allen and became a partner at the firm in 2026. Being a lifelong equestrian and animal lover, Nora also provides representation in equine and animal law. In her spare time, she owns and operates a horse farm in Hanover. Her herd currently includes her 8 horses, two rescue dogs, a three-legged cat, her husband, and the newest addition: her one-year old daughter, Margaux.
Ambassadors
Ambassador
Jonathon Abbott is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the owner of a nationally ranked financial planning practice dedicated to helping families build clarity, confidence, and long-term security. Born and raised in Charles City County, Jonathon learned early the value of resilience, community, and service—principles that continue to guide his work and leadership today.
Jonathon partners with Mended Sparrow to support its mission of helping people in our community find healing, purpose, and a stronger future. His own life experiences, including moments of hardship, courage, and growth, fuel his belief that every person deserves the ability and the tools to recognize their potential and rise to it.
He lives in Sandston, Virginia, with his wife Ashley and their son Asher. Jonathon brings a blend of leadership, compassion, and practical wisdom to every role he serves, always striving to leave people better than he found them.
Ambassador
I am honored to serve as an ambassador for Mended Sparrow because I deeply believe in the power of connection, community, and showing up for those who serve others every day. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I work closely with individuals and families who carry the weight of service, stress, and trauma—and I have seen how meaningful support often happens outside of traditional settings.
Mended Sparrow’s mission resonates with me because it creates a space where people feel safe, seen, and supported exactly as they are. The organization’s work strengthens relationships, builds resilience, and reminds participants that healing and growth are not meant to be done alone.
Serving as an ambassador allows me to advocate for accessible, community-centered support and to stand alongside an organization that honors service with compassion, dignity, and hope.
Why The Sparrow?
Sparrows are small, common birds that can be found all over the world. They have diverse spiritual meanings in various cultures and beliefs. Some of the common themes associated with sparrows are:
- Hope. Sparrows symbolize hope for a better future and the power of faith during challenging times. They remind us to never give up and to trust in a higher power that cares for us.
- Community. Sparrows represent the importance of community and teamwork. They show us that when we work together, we can achieve great things. They also symbolize friendship, loyalty, and harmony.
- Adaptability. Sparrows are known for their ability to adapt and survive in different environments and situations. They teach us to be flexible and embrace change in our lives. They also symbolize resilience and courage.
- Joy. Sparrows are cheerful and lively birds that sing their song throughout the day. They symbolize the joy of living and the happiness that comes from being free and content. They also remind us to appreciate the little things in life.