Meet our Staff

Cheryl Miller

Founder/Consultant

Cheryl along with the help of her daughter Dawn, founded Agapé in 1986 as a summer program. Cheryl has her B. S. from Indiana University and an M. S. in Special Education from IUPUI. She also holds the following certifications:
  • licensed teacher
  • Certified Professional NILD Education Therapist
  • NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

    • Cheryl has also received many awards for her work with the center and teaching career. During her 20 year teaching career at Heritage Christian School, Cheryl developed her love of special needs children and horses into the amazing program for children with disabilities called "Agapé"

    Debbie Laird

    Executive Director

    Debbie began working at Agapé as a volunteer in 1998. She later served as the Vice President and President of the Alliance of Agapé. Debbie served as a member of the Agapé Board of Directors and as Chairperson. She became a full time member of the Agapé staff in April 2007 as the Director of Resource Development. Debbie has an Associates Degree in Business Management and a B. S. in Business Administration. Debbie owns one of the miniature horses, Stormy, who is used in the Miniature Horse Program. Debbie enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with her family.

    Tia O'Laughlin

    Schedule Coordinator/Instructor

    Tia knows personally the power of therapy that a horse can provide. After a personal loss, Tia came to Agapé as a volunteer in September 2002. She became a certified therapeutic riding instructor in the spring and joined the wonderful staff at Agapé. She is now the Head Instructor whose responsibilities are to organize and help develop the school and family based programs, miniature horse visitation program, summer adventures, horse shows, 4-H and Special Olympics. Tia personally owns two horses that are used in the programs at the center. She also has a daughter, Tiara and a son, Braydon. Tia is so thankful to God for the blessing and gift of Agapé Therapeutic Riding Center in her life.

    Barb Sparks

    Riding and Driving Instructor

    For three years Barb was a volunteer at Agapé and thought it was the most heart warming volunteer work that she had ever done. When her kids went off to college, she decided to become an instructor in 2001. She loves teaching the kids and the adults to groom, tack and ride. As an instructor, she started to see a lot of pain easing in some of the riders, kids who were nonverbal starting to say, "Whoa" and "Walk on", and realized what an important role the horses played in all of our lives. They are truly magical animals with many healing powers. In 2004 Barb became a driving instructor.

    Sherri McCormick

    Education Manager/Instructor

    Sheri McCormick has had a lifelong love of horses and owned horses since she was 12 years old. She was introduced to therapeutic riding in 1993 when she became the first certified riding instructor of the CHAPS Therapeutic Riding program at Purdue University. Sheri has served as a Director on the Indiana Horse Council and was the state chair of the IHC Equine Assisted Programs Committee. She is also a NARHA certified driving instructor and a member of Indiana Whips and Wheels Driving Club. A career in therapeutic riding has allowed Sheri to share her passion for horses while serving individuals with special needs in a way that demonstrates God’s unconditional love. When you can’t find her in the barn, she is probably trail riding with her husband, Bill, or out for a carriage drive!

    Joe Sullivan

    Assistant Stable Manager

    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 later became a part time employee at the center and presently serves as Assistant Barn Manager. Joe is married to Shirley Sullivan. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in January 2006 and have four children and 10 grandchildren. Joe also portrays Hopalong Cassidy, The Movie Cowboy in black. Just last year he performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and will tour China for 10 days next March with the Prairie Rose Wranglers based in Wichita, KS.

    Carol Briggs

    Riding and Classroom Instructor

    Carol has been the classroom instructor for the past three years. She graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY with a B. A. in English. Carol and her family moved to Indianapolis from Philadelphia, PA in 1998 and within a year began volunteering at Agapé. While living in Philadelphia, Carol enjoyed teaching preschool and fitness classes at the YMCA. Although she had no horse experience, her love of children and animals found the perfect home at Agapé. The Briggs family purchases Seth, a 12 year old Haflinger horse, for Agapé. In her spare time, when she's not working with Seth, you can find Carol volunteering at the Indiana School for the Blind and spending quality time with her family.

    Madie Goeller

    Volunteer Coordinator

    Madie has been a part of the Agapé family since 2001 starting as a volunteer and then becoming part of the staff 5 years ago. Madie said, "I guess you could say that Agapé had me from 'Hello!' This new adventure was an answer to prayer for me. I love children and animals. What a perfect place to be! Not only do I get my horse fix, I am able to work with children and adults on a daily basis-not to mention the many friendships that I have formed since walking through the barn door!" Madie and Ron have been married for 36 years, have 3 children and are doting grandparents to their grandson.

    Lyn Penfound

    Bookkeeper/Instructor

    Lyn has volunteered at Agapé since January of 2000. Lyn and her husband Allin and their two sons moved here from Canada in 1998. Having a love for horses and other animals, finding the ministry that Agapé provides - using horses to transform the lives of individuals with special needs - has truly been a blessing to Lyn and her family. In Canada, Lyn was the Manager of Product Development for a regional airline. She is passionate about working with the riders, horses and awesome staff and volunteers at the center. When she is not at Agapé, you can find her at the hockey rink wathcing one of her two sons!

    Lisa Spillman

    Equine Assistant/Instructor

    Lisa began volunteering at Agapé in the fall of 2007 after moving here from Kansas. It was love at first sight for her. Lisa heard about our program through one of the previous board members and knew this would be her kind of place. Having gained horse knowledge and hands on experience over the years she yearned for a place where she could pass that information on to others. Lisa is a pastor’s wife who has experience working with people, so combining the two is a dream come true for her. Growing up, Lisa was very involved in showing and training horses in Dressage. She is married to Robby who is a pastor in Fishers,IN and they have 4 daughters, Ashley, Katie, Holly and Emily. When she is not around, Agapé or riding her horse Sam, she can be found spending time with her family or running. Lisa knows that the Lord led her to Agapé and feels so blessed to be a part of the team.

    Deb Usher

    Lesson Outcomes Coordinator/Instructor

    Deb began at Agapé as a volunteer in the Fall of 2002. She became a NARHA certified instructor in 2006. Deb has a Bachelors of Social Work from Valparaiso University. Her background includes working with the adoption of children with special needs, teaching preschool as well as raising children and a variety of animals. Teaching at Agapé has felt like a "perfect fit" for her. The Agapé staff is amazing and has been very supportive. Deb is married to Rod and has two great children, Katherine and Jonathan. She loves working with the students, volunteers and staff and of course the horses at Agapé!

    Mary Lynne Carpenter

    Mini Visit Planner/Equine Assistant/Instructor

    Mary Lynne’s own life experience with horses is closely linked with therapeutic riding. She was taught to ride when she was five years old by relatives who started a therapeutic riding program in California. As an adult, after many years away from horses, Mary Lynne chose to begin her re-entry into the horse world by volunteering at a therapeutic riding center. Mary Lynne is enthusiastic about all things equine and feels fortunate to be in a place where she can share that mutual interest with students, staff and volunteers.

    Scott Miller

    Special Projects and Facility Grounds Manager

    Scott volunteered in caring for the horses and building needed structures from 1992-1998. He then became an employee as the Agapé Facility Manager. Scott's training at ITT Institute has complemented his talents whether its building barns, planting shrubs or clearing trails. Scott has made Agapé one of the most beautiful therapeutic riding facilities in the nation.