Kim McCrea

EQUINE DIRECTOR / 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!

equinedirector@mdtrc.org

Nancy Beise

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

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. Beginning in 2006, Nancy served as Equine Program Director and later President of the Fidelis Foundation in south Florida, serving foster children, children of incarcerated parents, and institutionalized orphans - children in crises not of their own making - through therapeutic horsemanship for seven years.

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.

programdirector@mdtrc.org

Allison Gast

INSTRUCTOR

Allison grew up in Nebraska and began riding around age 7 when she got her first pony. The fellow that sold the pony to her parents told them to have her ride bareback for a year and then buy a saddle. Allison rode western and did 4-H until she went to the University of Nebraska. (Her family also got into raising Paint horses for about 10 years). Allison has a BS in Animal Science and Masters in Veterinary Physiology. When she and her husband moved to Illinois for graduate school she began riding and competing in dressage. Allison actively rode and competed until her kids were born. Allison began volunteering at Morning Dove 8 years ago and became a certified instructor 4 years ago.

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.

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, and 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 are specific and unique assets to our therapeutic riding program.