Meet the Team

I came to VEWS after reigniting my childhood love for horses working with racing thoroughbreds as a hot walker in 2023 (I still do!). I wanted to continue learning and building my experience working with horses & horsemanship skills. I wanted an opportunity to give back to horses, who've provided so much enrichment in my life. I found VEWS and it has been the perfect place to grow those skills as well as meet so many people who share the same passion.

I rescued my first pony when I was 12. Trixie was blind, had no training and had been left in a cow pasture for years. Most of my childhood memories include my adventures with Trixie as I taught her to ride and pull a cart.

Jeannie is a lifelong animal lover who has been volunteering with animal welfare organizations for over 30 years.

Like many kids, I loved animals and horses from a young age but grew up in an Army family that moved constantly and never had a chance to take riding lessons. After retiring from a fulfilling and fun forty-one year career supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, I was looking for a volunteer commitment with animals and thought about horses.

Rodent Control
Inky and Dinky take their jobs as greeters very seriously...

When I started volunteering with VEWS in 2015, my goal was to learn more about caring for horses.

Tim has enjoyed a 20+ year career in the financial services industry working for banks in leadership roles managing risk and business operations.

I have worked in information systems and cybersecurity for over 28 years, including web design for numerous organizations. I grew up and learned about horses from my big sisters who taught me everything I know.

I started riding in utero and horses carried me through my youth. I competed through Preliminary with the USEA and received my HA rating from the USPC in 1999. 

Sam grew up around horses, but when she left her hometown and moved to Richmond she lost her connection to the horse world. She found VEWS through a friend and was happy to be around horses again. 

Lisa’s love of horses began early in life and has culminated in personally adopting four horses from VEWS as well as contributing her time and energy to the organization.

I’ve been volunteering with VEWS since spring of 2022 and it is hands down my favorite part of the week!

I've been horse-crazy for as long as I can remember! I started riding around 2nd grade, which I continued for the better part of 18 years.

I started volunteering at VEWS in early 2024.  I enjoy meeting the new horses and assessing what they need to make a connection to their rider.  Being part of the VEWS crew is inspiring and such a privilege to be able to help the horses find loving homes.