Meet Our Team!
Stephanie Smith
Lead PATH Certified Instructor & Mentor
On staff since Fall 2017
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Dolly
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Trail ride my horses, bake, and watch The Office (U.S. version)
Fun fact about yourself: I am a BIG Harry Potter fan!
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: Juan Pablo (my dog), boots and a blanket
Erin Thompson
Development Associate
On staff since Spring 2014
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Cole, Shanna, & Junior
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Spend time with family, friends and my dog, Deacon.
Fun fact about yourself: I like to knit, but am limited to scarves
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: My dog, books and an umbrella
Jess Shelner
PATH Certified Instructor
On staff since Fall 2018
Hometown: Rockford, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Teddy, or as I like to call him, Theodore (All time favorite was Flirt)
What do you do outside of LoveWay: I get to stay at home with my 3 crazy kids and serve at our church whenever possible!
Fun fact about yourself: I lived in Vienna, Austria for a short time and have traveled to over 15 different countries.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: My bible, Christmas music, and a speedboat
Shelley Becker
Executive Director, PATH 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 an “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
Kayla Abbott
PATH Certified Instructor
On staff since Fall 2018
Hometown: Granger, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: THIS QUESTION IS SO HARD TO ANSWER!! I HAVE TOO MANY FAVORITES!!! Either Kayla or Patches
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Read in my hammock, work on my aunt and uncle’s farm, trail ride, bake
Fun fact about yourself: I like to run 10k’s and half marathons
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: hammock, books, dog
Chris Stice
Programs Coordinator, PATH Certified Instructor
On staff since Fall 2006
Hometown: Billings, MT
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: My favorite horse is Junior
What do you do outside of LoveWay: After work I like to relax and watch Korean dramas (I really didn’t want to put this in my bio but was forced into it by my office buddies!)
Fun fact about yourself: I like to travel overseas. I’ve been to Israel, Rome, England, Scotland, the Philippines and South Korea.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: A book about how to survive on a deserted island, glasses so that I can read the book and my dog Lucy even though she is a being and not a thing.
Ryan Eash
Director of Equine Development
On staff since Fall 2018
Hometown: Goshen, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LW: All of them (not fair Ryan)
What do you do outside of LW: I am also a dad, husband, pastor and I train cowhorses
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
Daryl Abbott
Community Ambassador
On staff since Spring 2009
Hometown: White Pigeon, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Penny
What do you do outside of LoveWay: I am very involved with my church including our Teen Club, Vacation Bible School, Prayer Ministry and greeter.
Fun fact about yourself: I had a variety of summer jobs while in college; orderly in a nursing home, painter, worker in a couple of RV factories, ambulance attendant and a security guard.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: Cellphone/iPad, bicycle and McDonalds coffee
Nicole Romo
Administrative Assistant
On staff since Spring 2019
Hometown: Schoolcraft, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: I have two, Cole & Sunny
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Spend time at home with my family, 5 horses, 2 dogs and many other animals. We like to spend weekends at our family cottage on Bass Lake in Knox, IN.
Fun fact about yourself: I LOVE all things decorating and have been known to paint rooms yearly.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: A survival pack, a watermaker, my Puggle, Bugsy
Katie Price
Volunteer Coordinator
On staff since Spring 2019
Hometown: Bristol, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Teddy
What do you do outside of LoveWay: I love to go fishing, spend time at our boat in St. Joseph, MI, and spend time with my fiance Nathan and our dog Hope out on the water.
Fun fact about yourself: I have met president Obama and Mark Cuban
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: A tool kit, a magnifying glass, and twine
Tim Krecsmar
PATH Certified Instructor
On staff since 1993
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Updated bio coming soon!
Vern Moore
Bookkeeper
On staff since Spring 2019
Hometown: Sparta, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Teddy
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Enjoy time with my wife
Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy being around people so much I’m having a hard time retiring
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: My wife, water, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
Lily Thomas
Barn Assistant
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Middlebury, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Junior
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Outside of LoveWay I attend IUSB and study biology. I also train and show Eventing horses.
Fun fact about yourself: I used to race go-karts.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: My horse, a knife and a fishing pole.
Delaney Hochstedler
Barn Assistant
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Syracuse, IN
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Absolutely Shanna!
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Outside of LoveWay I work at Goshen Hospital in the ICU. I enjoy spending time with my family and puppy (DiveBar). I also like watching The Office and Friends on Netflix.
Fun fact about yourself: I started volunteering at LoveWay in 2013 in the SMTV program.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: My man purse, DiveBar (my dog), a hammock
Mackenzee Garvey
Barn Assistant
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Saint Joseph, MI
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: Mac
What do you do outside of LoveWay: I love to go on spontaneous adventures and hang out with my family.
Fun fact about yourself: I train service dogs.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: I would bring my dog, a blanket and a book.
Zoe West
Barn Assistant
On staff since Fall 2019
Hometown: Blue Springs, MO
Favorite 4-legged team member at LoveWay: All of them
What do you do outside of LoveWay: Outside of LoveWay I like to hang out with friends and have fun.
Fun fact about yourself: I love big loud trucks and other vehicles.
If you had to be stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring: Fire, food and drinks