Meet Our Team!

Kim McCrea
Operations Director/Equine Manager
/Instructor

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

Nancy Beise
Development/Volunteer Coordinator

Nancy is a lifelong horsewoman. Falling in love with horses as a child, Nancy has nurtured that passion over the years - riding and training in various disciplines, including therapeutic horsemanship and equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy.

Introduced to experiential learning as a ropes course facilitator for Learning Unlimited in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she merged her love for horses with experiential learning. Nancy served as Equine Program Director for seven years, and later as President, of the nonprofit Fidelis Foundation in South Florida. There she served foster children, children of incarcerated parents, and institutionalized orphans - children in crises not of their own making - through equine assisted services, both mounted and unmounted.

In 2020, Nancy earned her certification as an Equine Specialist in the EAGALA model of equine-assisted learning. She also added a certification as a Board-certified Mental Health Coach.

An artist and educator, Nancy is a creative problem solver, intuitive and able to think outside the box.

development@mdtrc.org

volunteer@mdtrc.org

programdirector@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.

Reesha Bhagat
Instructor

Reesha has been riding since, 2011 and has dedicated much of that time to teaching and sharing her passion for horses with others. While she has given lessons for many years, she recently discovered the world of therapeutic riding and has embraced the opportunity to help make equine education more accessible to everyone.

A student at Butler University, Reesha is double majoring in Biochemistry and Biology on the pre-medical track, combining her love for science with her deep appreciation for horses. She is passionate about equine education and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about horse care, riding, and the science behind these incredible animals. Her background as a member of the United States Pony Club and years spent studying hippology have shaped her approach to teaching—emphasizing both practical skills and a deeper understanding of horse behavior, anatomy, and well-being.

Above all, Reesha loves working with people of all ages and abilities, helping them build confidence, develop riding skills, and connect with horses in meaningful ways. Whether through riding or groundwork, she strives to create a welcoming, supportive environment for all her students.

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.

Dara Lewis
Instructor*on Maternity Leave

Dara has loved horses her whole life. She started her journey at age 10 where she learned how to ride hunter/jumper horses in her hometown of Youngstown, NY. She worked and competed in many equine sports including breezing racehorses, long distance riding, western sports, and the sport of dressage.

In 2008 she started training with a horsemanship master in Canada who completely changed the trajectory of her riding and training career. She learned classical dressage as an art, and how to apply it to every type of riding; even using it to rehabilitate injured horses. She enjoyed the peak of her riding performances in venues such as the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto and Sterling Reniassance Festival in New York.

Her passion for horses never fading, she trains and rides horses in the classical art and coaches other horse owners in these methods, helping them reach their goals within their various interests. Dara has started teaching para-riding and using interactions with horses to benefit the rider’s mental, physical, and emotional health.

Morning Dove is a great opportunity to share her skills and help others find their love of horses, forge through new challenges, and experience their healing presence.