Meet Our Team!

Kim McCrea
Operations Director, Equine Manager, Instructor (PATH CTRI)

Kim does not recall a time when horses were not in her life. She started taking English riding lessons at the age of 6. And even before then, she was usually trying to find her way to a barn.

Fast forward … as an adult; that pure passion, joy and love has never faded. In fact, her passion for horses and animals led her to a career in veterinary medicine.

Kim still rides and shows Hunter/Jumpers and has been fortunate enough to be matched with some amazing horses, each with their own unique talents (and personalities!)

Kim knows how a horse’s smell can create calmness even on the most anxious days. She knows how non-verbal communication with a horse can make her feel like she’s speaking to them one-on-one. Kim also knows how her ride is the most important (emotionally and physically) part of her day. Realizing what horses do for her, she is THRILLED to continue to be a part of Morning Dove.

Kim loves the joy Morning Dovers get from their horses; from their rides, from their achievements; and from THE SMILES!! As an instructor, Kim believes she SMILES even more than the riders!

equinemanager@mdtrc.org

Grace Seymour
Program Director, Instructor (PATH ESMHL)

Grace’s love for horses started early. At just three years old, she first sat on a horse at her grandparents’ home in Sea Island, Georgia. By the age of six she was riding and training regularly, eventually spending more than 15 years competing in the Hunter/Jumpers at shows across several states.

Grace began her college career at Butler University, riding on the equestrian team. She later completed her degree at Indiana University Bloomington, where she added a minor in Sociology—which ultimately led her to this work.

As someone who has personally experienced the incredible healing power of horses, Grace feels very fortunate to now share that same gift with others at Morning Dove. She is certified through PATH International as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) and is currently completing the final steps of her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification.

Grace loves witnessing the confidence, connection, and growth that happen in the arena every day. She believes horses have a special way of helping people feel calm, understood, and capable in ways that are hard to put into words.

programdirector@mdtrc.org

Josee Deak
Volunteer Coordinator, Instructor

Josee developed a passion for horseback riding at a young age while riding at her great-grandfather’s home and spending several years cleaning horse stalls during her childhood. Her lifelong love for horses and riding has inspired her to introduce others to the sport and support their growth in horseback riding.

Josee enjoys working with individuals of all ages, but she especially loves working with children. She previously served as a second-grade instructor’s assistant in Speedway for a year and later worked as both a camp counselor and riding instructor during the summer of 2025 at Paradise Ranch at Grace Adventures in Michigan.

In 2023, Josee volunteered at Morning Dove, an experience that inspired her to pursue her CTRI certification and become involved in therapeutic riding. She is excited and honored to be part of the program as the Volunteer Coordinator and a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) instructor.

Josee especially enjoys being an instructor because it allows her to create lesson environments that incorporate not only horsemanship, but also skill development, creativity, problem-solving, and emotional mirroring.

volunteer@mdtrc.org

Kaylin Tomyn
Instructor

Kaylin is an instructor at Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Center and has been riding horses and competing nationally since 2011. Her most notable accomplishments include receiving 6th place at IEA nationals in the open division out of about 5,000 riders, receiving numerous championships competing throughout the country, and being the president and founder of the Indiana University Purdue University Equestrian Team.

Kaylin’s love and expertise in the equestrian world is also accompanied by her love for medicine. Kaylin is currently a pre-medical student in the Honors College at Indiana University Purdue University majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry.

Kaylin hopes to continue to serve our community at Morning Dove and utilize her knowledge to continue to improve the lives of both horses and riders.

Heidi Stout
Instructor

With 29 years of experience as a Physical Therapist and Certified Integrative Nutritional Mental Health Specialist Heidi is dedicated to helping individuals excel physically and emotionally.

Heidi has spent the last 13 years with her focus on neurological diseases and mental health disorders utilizing a more holistic approach as a Cell Core Detox Practitioner. Growing up on the Circle M Ranch in Bloomington Indiana riding western and enjoying Rodeos, camping, community trail rides and organizing events, Heidi continues to have a love for nature and horses and is thrilled to be able to combine both her passions at Morning Dove.

To be able to work on an individual's strength, range of motion, core stability and balance while incorporating the powerful grounding energy of our horses is a great way to connect the mind, body and spirit. Seeing firsthand how movement, sensory integration and connection with horses can enhance lives of both adults and children she looks forward to being part of the journey with each rider helping them discover the healing and transformative power of therapeutic riding.

Sara Custer
Instructor

Dr. Sara Custer, PhD, is an Assistant Research Professor of Dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Her doctorate in Neurobiology and Behavior are an incredible resource here at Morning Dove, informing her interactions with her riders.

She has volunteered in therapeutic riding since 2002, with Morning Dove since 2012, and as an Instructor since 2023.

She is very involved in the local Hunter/Jumper circuit with her two daughters, who often volunteer here at Morning Dove as well.

Sara’s calm and encouraging demeanor and her knowledge of neurobiology and behavior issues are specific and unique assets to our therapeutic riding program.

Michelle Ketring
Instructor/Horse Prep

Michelle Ketring has been with Morning Dove for 13 years as a horse leader, side walker, horse prep, and, most recently, an instructor. Always willing to lend a helping hand, you will most likely find Michelle tacking the lesson horses, running to get a missing set of reins for a lesson, or facilitating a New Volunteer Orientation.

Growing up in rural Virginia, Michelle got her first taste of horsemanship from her best friend in elementary school who owned horses. She was then lucky enough to own ponies and horses until her move to Chicago in high school.

Michelle has worked in the insurance industry for over 35 years and credits her time with the horses and riders for helping her unwind from the corporate world. “It’s therapeutic for the staff as well as the riders-who doesn’t love the smell of horses and the excited smile of a new participant? It’s also a great way to get those steps in!” she says. Other than the horses, Michelle loves fitness and caring for her mom who lives with her and her husband.

Newly married, Michelle often persuades her husband to help out at the barn for the heavy lifting! She also has one son currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

Erin McGill
Instructor/Barn Staff

Erin began horseback riding lessons at age 10. Her passion for riding only grew, and eventually led her family to move from Indianapolis to Zionsville so she would be closer to the Stable that she rides at. Tons of ribbons, trophies and medals adorn the walls of her bedroom from years of competition, her most prized award being High Point Jumper in the state of Indiana.

In recent years, Erin has emerged as a true leader among her peers, showing consistency, compassion, values, hard work, and dedication not only to the sport of Hunter/Jumpers, but working lessons alongside her trainer. She has enjoyed being a summer Camp Counselor for the last few years at Horse Camp in Zionsville, finding creative ways to level up the fun and excitement for the young kids who attend.

Erin began at Morning Dove as part of the barn staff, and is thrilled to be among the instructors. She loves the leadership, staff, riders, and the wonderful volunteers who make this an amazing program.