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. 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.
Kayla Borg
Equine Assistant
On staff since Summer 2023
Hometown: Goshen, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Lucky.
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I enjoy spending time with my husband and all my furry friends, which include my dogs and horses.
Fun fact about yourself:
I can touch my nose with my tongue.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
I would bring my Bible, my husband, and a horse.
Leah Gall
Program Coordinator &
Lead PATH Intl. Certified Instructor / CHA IRD
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!)
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.
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.
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.
Savannah Gay
CHA IRD
On staff since Winter 2023
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay:
Buddy
What do you do outside of LoveWay:
I enjoy singing with my family and animals of all kinds, but especially horses.
Fun fact about yourself:
I have a black belt in karate!
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring:
I would bring my family, my 4 pets and a book.
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.
Laura Fater
Administrative Assistant
On staff since Fall 2023
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:
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.
Madeline Davis
Barn 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.
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,
LoveWay Board of Directors
President
Adam Christoffersen
Secretary
Patsy Boehler
TREASURER
Ross Hougland
Members
Jen Anderson
Chris Clementz
Andrew Cunningham
Julie Ann Kotowski
John Morgan
Kari Welker