The Staff
The Staff
Debbie Laird - Executive Director
Debbie began working at Agapé as a volunteer in the fall of 1998. She later volunteered as the Vice President and President of the Alliance of Agapé and was a member and President of the Board of Directors. Debbie became a staff member at Agapé, in 2007, serving as the Director of Resource Development. She became the Executive Director in March of 2009.
Debbie has an Associates Degree in Business Management and a B. S. in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.
When not at Agapé, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family, reading and gardening.
Chirs Sorensen - Program Coordinator
Chris began working at Agapé as a volunteer in the summer of 2001. She has served as a Vice President and President of the Alliance of Agapé and was a member and Secretary of the Board of Directors. Chris became a NARHA certified instructor in February 2006 and has worked as an instructor at both Agapé and Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Centers.
Chris has a MBA from the University of Hartford and a BS in marketing and a BA in German from Indiana University.
Chris enjoys family time, including boating, biking and skiing with her husband and two sons. An animal lover, she spends quality time with the family dog and three cats, all rescue pets, and also trail rides with friends.
Mary Lynne Carpenter, MSW, LCSW - Equine Coordinator Instructor
Mary Lynne began working at Agapé as a volunteer and has been a paid staff member since April of 2008. She was promoted to Equine Coordinator in the fall of 2009. Mary Lynne's own life experience with horses is closely linked with therapeutic riding. She was taught to ride at age five by relatives who started what was essentially their own therapeutic riding program in California.
Mary Lynne's main responsibility at Agapé is for the overall health, intake and training of the Agapé horses. Mary Lynne also trains Agapé volunteers to safely and effectively handle our horses using consistent, proven techniques.
Mary Lynne has Master's degree in Social Work.
Deb Usher - Senior Instructor
Deb began working at Agapé as a volunteer in the fall of 2002. By 2004 Deb knew she wanted to serve in a larger capacity and began the process of becoming a NARHA certified instructor. Deb reached this goal in March of 2006 and began teaching at Agapé in April of that same year.
Deb has successfully held several responsibilities at Agapé that include Certified Instructor and Program Coordinator.
In addition to teaching classes, Deb oversees the Agapé instructors, coordinates instructor schedules, develops lesson plans and mentors instructors-in-training.
Deb graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.
When not at Agapé, Deb enjoys bicycling with husband Rod and playing with her two cats and two dogs. Deb and her husband have two grown children and a son-in-law.
Madie Goeller - Volunteer Coordinator
Madie began working at Agapé in 2000 and became the Volunteer Coordinator in August of 2002.
Madie's primary duties include scheduling, training and coordinating volunteers which include horse handlers and side walkers for all of the classes at Agapé. Madie also schedules in-service training for volunteers and does public speaking on Agapé's behalf.
When not working at Agapé, Madie enjoys spending time with her husband, their three children and two grandsons. Madie is an active member of the Hamilton County Master Gardener Association and an advocate for the American Cancer Society.
Melanie Priest - Bookkeeper and Resource Coordinator
Melanie began working at Agapé in October of 2011. Melanie has over 13 years of non-profit experience from various Indianapolis non-profit organizations in the areas of program and volunteer management, grant writing and development.
Melanie's primary responsibilities are to maintain the accounting system and donor records. Melanie also assists Agapé in fundraising and marketing.
Melanie has a BA from Indiana University in Journalism and a Masters in Public Affairs from Indiana University with a concentration in non-profit management.
When not at Agapé, Melanie enjoys yoga, running, zumba, hiking, reading and spending time with her husband, four children and one dog.
Nancy Morgan - Mini Visits
Nancy began volunteering at Agapé in 2002 and became a staff member in 2010. Nancy was a member of the Alliance of Agapé and is now part of the Helping Hands. Nancy was also the Agapé Volunteer of the Year in 2007.
Nancy's love of Agapé's miniature horses make her the perfect person to take the miniature horses to various nursing homes, country fairs, schools and other events.
Nancy has a B.A. Degree from Judson University, Elgin, IL.
When not at Agapé, Nancy enjoys spending time with her husband, their two grown daughters and 5 granddaughters. Nancy also enjoys gardening, reading, playing golf, walking the beach and shelling on vacation.
Barb Sparks - Riding and Driving Instructor
Barb began working as a volunteer at Agapé in September of 1996. In January of 1999, Barb began working in the classroom at Agapé. Barb wanted to do more with the clients at Agapé and became a NARHA certified instructor in May of 2001. Barb attended additional training and became a NARHA certified instructor Driving Instructor in 2004.
Barb's main responsibilities as an instructor include developing lessons plans and teaching safe lessons according to NARHA standards. As a Driving Instructor, Barb's responsibilities include proper harnessing of a horse to the carriage and teaching driving in a safe, responsible manner to clients who are unable to ride a horse.
Barb attended Christian University in Columbia, MO and IUPUI in Indianapolis.
When not at Agapé, Barb enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter and her horses.
Joe Sullivan - Stable Assistant
Joe joined Agapé in January 1999 as a volunteer after retiring as a District Sales Manager for a leading animal health and nutrition company. He became an Agapé employee in May of 2000. Joe also portrays Hopalong Cassidy, The Movie Cowboy in Black. He has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, toured China with the Prairie Rose Wranglers based in Wichita, KS., and rode in the Rose Bowl Parade with Roy Roger's family.
Joe's main responsibilities at Agapé include feeding horses and assisting the Facility and Land Manager with maintaining the stable.
Joe attended Indiana University.
When Joe is not at Agapé, he enjoys spending time with his wife of over 50 years, their four children and ten grandchildren.
Rachel Royston - Instructor
Rachel Royston began volunteering at Agapé in 2008 and became a member of the Agapé staff in 2010. Rachel was the Agapé Volunteer of the Year in 2009. Currently Rachel is an instructor-in-training and is pursuing certification to be a NARHA Certified Registered Instructor. Her responsibilities include instructing, taking miniature horses for visits and assisting the Equine Coordinator in working/training the horses.
Growing up on a working ranch in Oklahoma gave Rachel a love and appreciation for horses and the incredible things they are capable of providing
Rachel graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University with a BA in Broadcast Journalism & Public Relations.
When not at Agapé Rachel spends her free time outdoors with her husband, son and her horse, Ted.
Trisha Egleson - Instructor
"Trish" began volunteering at Agapé in April of 2009. Soon after beginning to volunteer at Agapé Trish's son became a student at Agapé. As a parent and advocate of special needs children, Trish knew immediately that she wanted to become an instructor and began pursuing her NARHA certification.
As an instructor in training, Trish helps to develop and teaches lessons according to NARHA standards and her personal teaching philosophy. She firmly believes that being able to teach is a blessing and strives to convey that joy to each student she meets.
Trish graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Comparitive Literature.
When not at Agapé, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and two dogs, riding, reading, camping, and visiting family."
Katrina Brown - Instructor
Katrina's experience with horses began when her son, Keith, began to ride at a young age and she noticed how much fun he was having and how much a horse changed his life. Year's later, Katrina began her career in therapeutic riding as a volunteer at another riding center. After two years, she began the process of becoming a certified riding instructor and completed this task in July of 2010.
Katrina graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music from Butler University. She has been performing and teaching music for over twenty five years. Katrina has also had instruction in the Lindamood-Bell technique of teaching students with learning disabilities. Her experience brings a style of multi-sensory teaching conducive to horsemanship instruction.
In her spare time, Katrina coaches the Boone County 4-H Hippology team and assists in the Equine Special Olympics.
Corinna Wagner - Instructor
Corinna has always had a passion for working with animals and children. After seeing the benefits of therapeutic riding with her niece, Corinna started volunteering and student teaching at a therapeutic riding center in Zionsville. Soon Corinna became the Barn Manager and a PATH certified instructor and worked there until 2011. Teaching therapeutic riding is as much a blessing to Corinna as it is for the students and their families.
Corinna attended Ivy tech and Lincoln Land College.
Corinna is also employed Janssen Veterinary Clinic and recently worked for the Zionsville school system as a job Coach for the Special Education Department. Corinna is a member of Open Door church and is in charge of the children's ministry. Corinna resides in Sheridan with her husband Adam, two dogs Greta and Coco, and loves spending time with her horse Chester.
Amy Nichols – Classroom/Agape Celebrations Coordinator
Amy began volunteering at Agape in 2008 and dreamed of becoming a teacher at Agape. In January of 2012, Amy’s dream became a reality when she became the Classroom and Agape Celebrations Coordinator at Agape.
Amy’s responsibilities include creating a lesson plans and teaching students in the Agape classroom. Lessons coordinate with the lesson plan in the riding arena. Amy also plans and oversees all of the celebrations at Agape. Celebrations can include birthday parties or any type of event that calls for a celebration.
Amy has a BS in Education from Indiana University and an MS in Education from IUPUI. Amy is certified to teach children with moderate and severe disabilities in grades K -12.
When not at Agape, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.
Don Leer - Land and Facility Coordinator
Don began working at Agapé in September of 2011. Don is a well experienced horseman and owns 16 horses at his own riding stable.
Don's primary responsibilities include maintaining the Agapé buildings which include our barn, office area, arena, fencing and other outbuildings. He is also responsible for the feeding of all of the Agapé horses and maintenance of our equipment.
Don graduated from AAVTS as an Electrical Engineer and retired from General Motors after 33 years of service!
When not at Agapé, Don enjoys spending time with his own horses and his family.
