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.

Deb Usher - Program Coordinator

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. In the fall of 2009, Deb was promoted to Program Coordinator.

One of Deb’s many responsibilites at Agapé is to schedule students from schools and private families into one of many programs available at Agapé.

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.

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 has Master’s degree in Social Work.

Scott Miller - Facility and Land Manager

Scott is a member of the family who founded Agapé. He helped to build Agapé to what it is today by volunteering in many different areas from 1992 – 1998. He became a full time Facility & Land Manager in the fall of 1998.

Scott maintains the stable, the office area, the feeding of horse’s and 13 acres of land surrounding Agapé.

Scott’s training at ITT Institute enhanced his talents enabling him to build run-in sheds, create riding trails and do many repairs at Agapé.

When not at Agapé, Scott enjoys spending time with his family.

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.

Lindsay Kisby - Bookkeeper and Resource Coordinator

Lindsay Kisby began working as a volunteer at Agapé in December of 2004. She joined the staff of Agapé as a Bookkeeper & Resource Coordinator in February of 2010.

Lindsay’s main responsibilities at Agapé are to maintain the accounting system and donor records.

Lindsay has completed EMT training and works part time as an assistant for a CPA in Indianapolis.

When not at Agapé, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her daughter, two cats and two frogs.

Carol Briggs - Riding Instructor and Classroom Coordinator

Carol Briggs began working at Agapé as a volunteer in 2000 after moving to Carmel from Philadelphia, PA where she was a pre-school teacher. Carol became a NARHA certified instructor and reached that goal in 2006.

Carol’s main responsibilities at Agapé include developing curriculum for the classroom portion of school groups in coordination with stable and arena activities. As an instructor her main responsibilities include developing lessons plans and teaching safe lessons according to NARHA standards.

Carol graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY with a B.A. in English.

When not at Agapé, Carol volunteers at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Disabled. She enjoys spending time with her husband, their son and daughter-in-law, their dogs and her horse.

Tia Heaver - Instructor

Tia began her career at Agape as a volunteer in 2002 and immediately knew she wanted to become a NARHA certified instructor. Tia reached her instructor goal and joined the Agape staff in May of 2003. Two of Tia’s horses participate in Agapé programs.

As an instructor Tia’s main responsibilities include developing lessons plans and teaching safe lessons according to NARHA standards. Tia is also a trained Special Olympic Coach and actively participates with Agapé horses and students in Special Olympics.

Tia attended Indiana University.

When Tia is not at Agapé, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Sheri McCormick - Horse-Leader Trainer

Sheri began working at Agapé in May of 2008. Sheri 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 Indiana Horse Council Equine Assisted Programs Committee.

Sheri’s main responsibilities at Agapé include training the Agape volunteers to safely and effectively handle the horse using consistent techniques.

Sheri attended Purdue and Butler University and graduated with a degree in child development and foods and nutrition.

When not at Agapé or in her own barn, Sheri is probably trail riding with her husband, Bill, or out for a carriage drive!

Jerry Miller - Stable Assistant

Jerry is one of the founders of Agapé. Jerry helped to build Agapé to what it is today by volunteering in many different areas from 1992 – 2007. In 2007, Jerry began working at Agapé as a Stable Assistant.

Jerry’s main responsibility at Agapé is feeding horses.

Jerry attended Indiana University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in School Administration.

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 I.U.P.U.I. 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.