Meet the LoveWay team
You will find experienced, dedicated and passionate team members at LoveWay.
Shelley Becker
Executive Director &
PATH Intl. Certified Instructor / CHA IRD
Back on staff since Fall 2017
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Junior – He is big and strong, yet he instills confidence to all who lead and ride him. He has a kind heart and patient demeanor.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I eat, sleep and shower and then come back. LOL. I also love to spend time with my family, our animals and read whenever I get a chance.
Fun fact about yourself:
I talk to my animals at home in a special voice for each one.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
My bible, my family and my frenchie.
Ryan Eash
Director of Equine Development
On staff since Fall 2018
Hometown: Goshen, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
All of them (not fair Ryan).
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I am also a dad, husband, pastor and I enjoy training my own horses.
Fun fact about yourself:
I used to train dogs.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Matches, an axe and a bucket.
Tim Krecsmar
PATH Intl. Certified Instructor
On staff since 1993
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Junior (although all the Haflingers are really intriguing).
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
Special education teacher.
Fun fact about yourself:
Never heard/knew about S’mores until I was an adult (first time I heard about one I thought it was a joke).
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Solar powered MP3 player loaded with thousands of songs, crates of my favorite books, crates of chocolate (didn’t say any of this had to be realistic!)
Sydney Blackburn
PATH Intl. Certified Instructor / CHA IRD
On staff since Summer 2021
Hometown: Three Rivers, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Otto – Because he has an incredibly calm and sweet personality for his age and loves attention. He is also my favorite color of horse!
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
Whenever I have free time I enjoy reading books or listening to audiobooks (so I can get work done at the same time). My favorite hobby is to explore new trails with my horses and go on exciting adventures!
Fun fact about yourself:
I have memorized pi up to the 50th digit.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
I would bring a couple crates of duct tape (because it can be used to make anything), my bible, and my horses.
Pam Schmalfeldt
CHA IRD
On staff since Fall 2022
Hometown: Edwardsburg, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Buttercup because she reminds me of a horse I had named April.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I spend time with my husband and three boys. I ride my own horse if I have time!
Fun fact about yourself:
I take Taekwondo classes with my boys and am working towards earning my black belt!
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
A tent, extra clothes and books.
Hope Rubera
PATH Intl. Certified Instructor / CHA IRD
On staff since Summer 2022
Hometown: Marlborough, CT
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Buddy.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
In my free moments I love being outside, hiking, exploring, traveling, and hanging out with my kitty!
Fun fact about yourself:
I can touch my head with my toes.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Bible, friend, kitty.
Madeline Davis
Equine Assistant
On staff since Summer 2023
Hometown: Engadine, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Teddy.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I paint and do crafts.
Fun fact about yourself:
I’m related to John Adams on my father’s side.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
A machete, journal, and rope.
Jessica Estep
Communication & Events Specialist
On staff since Fall 2024
Hometown: Niles, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Kate.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I love hitting the road with my husband and our dog, baking sourdough bread that disappears way too fast, and finding adventure in everyday moments!
Fun fact about yourself:
I’ve never broken a bone.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
My bible, my family (including my dog), and a water filtration system to drink clean water.
Christy Snyder
Volunteer Coordinator
On staff since Winter 2023
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Eva! She is super cute even though she is a drooler.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I love to spend time with my family, friends, and dogs, plus I’m a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Fun fact about yourself:
If I could wear a baseball cap every day, I would!
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Baseball cap, my 3 dogs, and lots of water!
Kevin Ritenour
Office Administrator
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Piper (She’s a cat, but she’s 4-legged so she counts).
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing video games, comic books, etc.
Fun fact about yourself:
I have 32 screws in my pelvis. It makes interesting x-rays.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
My computer, video games, and a very long internet cable to reach the mainland.
Natalie Martinez
Administrative Assistant
On staff since Fall 2024
Hometown: Granger, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Otto – he’s so sweet and I just love black and white paint horses!
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I am a Realtor & Equine Massage Therapist, but also a Mom to two wonderful kiddos and a wife. I enjoy spending time with my family and my two horses at home.
Fun fact about yourself:
I served 8 years in the U.S. Air Force.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
My family, my pets, and our boat.
Suzanna Edmonds
Barn Assistant
On staff since Spring 2022
Hometown: Shipshewana, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
I really like all the horses, but Kayla is probably my favorite.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I have a couple cleanings jobs, sell books from home, babysit my nieces and nephews on occasion, ride along with my husband (he’s a local delivery truck driver), hang our with my Mom and sisters, and I love photographing nature and still life.
Fun fact about yourself:
I can yodel.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
My husband (he’s more of a person than a thing, but, ya know), a compass, and a survival kit.
Natasha Stephic
Barn Assistant
On staff since Fall 2023
Hometown: Goshen, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
My top two favorites right now are Teddy and Rocky.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I enjoy spending time with my horse Winston. I love to travel, I enjoy being outside doing just about anything. My life mostly revolves around being with my family and my horse.
Fun fact about yourself:
I have hugged a stallion race horse worth 80 million dollars.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
I would take my husband, horse, and dog. My husband would make sure I had food, shelter, and safety. My horse would give me my sanity and balance. My dog would keep me warm because he is a giant snuggle bug,
Angela Kidder
Barn Assistant
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Junior.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
Work and crochet.
Fun fact about yourself:
I’ve worked at a zoo, a blueberry farm, a haunted house, and as a lunchlady.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Books, yarn, sunscreen.
Jamie Bender
Barn Assistant
On staff since Winter 2025
Hometown:
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
Fun fact about yourself:
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Tonya Austin
Instructor in Training
On staff since Spring 2025
Hometown: Camden, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Kate. Raised with draft horses, I’ve always admired their strength, gentleness, and loyalty. They hold a special place in my heart.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I’m a proud mom and Nonny, cherishing time with my family and close friends. I love trail riding with my horses and attending horse pulls, often traveling to other states to participate in both.
Fun fact about yourself:
I have five horses and believe you can never have too many horses or cowboy boots! Each horse brings something special to my life, and I’m looking forward to owning a gaited mule someday.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
I’d bring my family (including my friends who are like family), a journal to write the book I’ve always dreamed of, and a treasure box for special memories – hoping my family can bring their 3 things too!
LoveWay Board of Directors
Patsy Boehler
Adam Christoffersen
Brian Hall
Rod Humphreys
Jennifer Irions
Julie Ann Kotowski
Kristen LeBaron
Jeryl Miller
John Morgan
Matt Schrock
Judy Weicht
Kari Welker