Meet the LoveWay team
You will find experienced, dedicated and passionate team members at LoveWay.
Shelley Becker
Executive Director & PATH Intl. Certified Instructor
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. When I have a few minutes, I am a “m-uber” for my kids.
Fun fact about yourself:
I talk to my animals at home with special voices 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.
Leah Gall
Lead PATH Intl. Certified Instructor
On staff since Summer 2021
Hometown: Topeka, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Teddy.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I have two daughters and a husband that keep me on my toes. I also enjoy training and competing with my own personal horse.
Fun fact about yourself:
I love to sing. However, God did not bless me with a perfect singing voice. I sing anyway. If I hear a song that I like and I know the words, I’ll sing it, no matter who is around.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
I’d bring a book, an umbrella for shade, and a blanket to lay on.
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!)
Hope Rubera
PATH Intl. Certified Instructor
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.
Sydney Blackburn
Instructor in Training
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
Instructor in Training & Program Development
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.
Jessika Ellett
Program Coordinator
On staff since Fall 2022
Hometown: Bristol, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Miko.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I am a mom and wife, which keeps me busy, but I also like to read and be outside in my free time.
Fun fact about yourself:
I have scoliosis but I don’t let it stop me from doing things I enjoy.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
A fire starter, knife or axe, mosquito repellent!
Arica Freshour
Volunteer Coordinator
On staff since Winter 2020
Hometown: White Pigeon, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Though I love them all, Shanna is the one that has pulled on my heart strings the most! Having been the first horse I worked with when I started volunteering back in 2013, Shanna has always been very patient, kind and friendly to be around!
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I enjoy being with family and friends, and outdoors when the weather is nice! I also enjoy going to church and my hobby of raising and keeping chickens!
Fun fact about yourself:
I’m a fraternal twin!
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
A fire starter of some sort, a sharp-ended object, and my Bible to keep me emotionally and spiritually stable!
Melissa Keller
Administrative Assistant
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
I LOVE them ALL. Gerard because he nuzzles my chest every time I get him to feed. Junior because he is soooo sweet. Bonnie, she comes every single time I call her, she’s excited to see me. Pickles, the barn kitty, she loves to on my shoulder when I’m sweeping the barn and “talking” to me.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I love going to the beach, work in my yard, do new projects on my first home. Creating a calming home for myself and two kitties.
Fun fact about yourself:
I just learned how to change a car tire, hahahaha. I’ve never worked as a barn assistant.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
Water, food, and family/friends.
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.
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.
Ella Yoder
Barn Assistant
On staff since Spring 2022
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:
Brooklynn Holley
Barn Assistant
On staff since Summer 2022
Hometown: Sturgis, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Otto.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I work and spend time with family!
Fun fact about yourself:
I train dogs.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
A knife, matches, and my dog.
Emily Beigh
Barn Assistant
On staff since Summer 2022
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
I have several! Gypsy, Otto, Miss, Buttercup, and Pam are my top 5, but honestly I like them all.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I home-school my two youngest children, enjoy spending time with my family and church on Sundays.
Fun fact about yourself:
I love sushi!
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
My dogs, cross stitching supplies, and music.
LoveWay Board of Directors
President
Adam Christoffersen
Vice President
Mark Taylor
Secretary
Patsy Boehler
TREASURER
Ross Hougland
Members
Jen Anderson
Chris Clementz
Andrew Cunningham
Mary Grimmer
Molly Welch-Miller
Kari Welker