Meet our Staff

Cheryl Miller

Founder and Executive Director

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 called "Agapé"

    Debbie Laird

    Director of Resource Development

    Debbie began working at Agapé as a volunteer in 1998. She later served on the board of the Alliance of Agapé and most recently the Agapé Board of Drectors as Chairperson. She became a full time member of the Agapé staff in April 2007. Debbie has an Associates Degree in Business Management and a B. S. in Business Administration. Debbie considers her position at Agapé to be a true gift from God. Debbie owns one of the miniature horses, Stormy, which was a gift to her from Agapé in 2004. Debbie enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband, Mike.

    Tia O'Laughlin

    Head 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.

    Cody Bogard

    Assistant Stable Manager and Horse Trainer

    Cody began as a volunteer at Agapé 8 years ago and has now been part of the Agapé staff for a year and a half. His main activities at Agapé include caring for horses and helping in classes. Cody spent two years at Indiana Wesleyan University studying Christian Ministries; he now plans to become a certified horse trainer under Monty Roberts. Cody's future plans are to train horses for therapeutic riding centers in addition to the horses of private clients.

    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.

    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 donated Seth, a 12 year hold Haflinger horse, to 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

    Resource Development Coordinator/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!

    Kelly Thorp

    Riding Instructor

    Kelly Thorp knew she wanted to be an elementary teacher since the 2nd grade. She graduated from Wheaton College with a major in elementary education and taught 3rd grade in Nashville, TN until her husband's job moved them to Indy. Kelly began volunteering at Agapé in the summer of 2004 with the intention of teaching at a local school system. Yet, once she saw how Agapé was working with children and teaching them state standards on the back of the horse, she couldn't leave! Kelly became certified that spring and is still pinching herself that she is blessed to teach at such an incredible place with an amazing team of horses, volunteers, staff, and school teachers! Kelly and Joel are expecting their first child at the end of November!

    Jeanne Hutcherson

    Equine Coordinator & Riding Instructor

    Jeanne joined the Agapé family in the spring of 2005. She is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelors in Science. Jeanne has been involved with horses since the early age of six and as an adult has enjoyed teaching lessons and training horses, fulfilling a lifelong calling. Jeanne is the ninth of ten children born and raised in Indianapolis. She also helped to raise many foster children that came through her home. Jeanne is married to Joe Hutcherson and has two children. Jeanne is most commonly found teaching lessons to all who share her passion!

    Deb Usher

    Riding 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!

    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.