Meet the Team
Founder & Executive Director
Shelly Pelet Galpin
Shelly, compelled by a life-long love of horses, and a desire to share the benefits of equestrian activities with people who may not typically have access, Shelly began Locust Lane Riding Center in 2005.
She is passionate about seeing lives transformed by developing a deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shelly has been trained and certified through CHA, Centered Riding, PA Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship and EAGALA. She is currently a professional member of PATH International and is pursuing certification as an Equine Specialist through PATH and Natural Lifemanship. She is also a certified professional life coach through Life Breakthrough Academy.
Assistant Director
VERONICA HACHE, PT, C/NDT /
Veronica has been a Physical Therapist for over 38 years, with a neurological specialty certification on Neuro-Developmental Treatment from Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association (NDTA) . She also has a certification on Biblical Counseling from Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF). She has also completed her certification in Stable Moments®, to help children that have been impacted by early developmental trauma by using equine assisted learning.
She has been involved as a short term missionary with a Christian organization called “Joni and Friends” since 2006, serving in many under-developed countries using her God given talents and professional skills. (Joni and Friends ministers to individuals impacted by disabilities in marginalized communities all over the world).
She is originally from Argentina, therefore fluent in Spanish and English. Has used her bilingual skills in ministry and in the workplace.
Veronica is passionate about helping people improve their quality of life by bringing the hope and truth of Jesus Christ and His word into their lives; so that they can grow into the person God has created them to be and enjoy abundant life! She loves horses and nature.
Her favorite verse from Scripture is 1 Peter 1: 3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness”
Prayer Coordinator
Julie Thomas
Julie has always had a love of horses, and the simple life of the outdoors. She was blessed to meet Shelly and hear her vision for the Riding Center 10+ years ago. After experiencing the challenges of raising godly children in an ungodly environment, she saw the value of LLRC coming alongside parents who were desperately trying to provide avenues for their children to hear and witness the lives of others following Jesus. Children/teens on the farm get practice in the life God calls us to. Serving, loving, giving of themselves, caring for others,(horses and humans) walking with God daily, growing in character: respect, responsibility, empathy, trust, teamwork, etc. And for the many young people struggling today, the connection with horses and the unconditional love they provide is priceless. The Holy Spirt confirmed this ministry to Julie’s heart in several ways.
Julie’s passion to come alongside women to assist and support them in their ministries, and to assist those in need, has led her to helping Shelly in several capacities. She has volunteered at special events, assisted in Summer Camps, is a mentor for children and youth for EAL, but most importantly, is her role to lead the Prayer Team through monthly corporate prayers. Julie shares the same heart with the Leadership team, the importance of God being at the center of the Riding Center. Only He can accomplish His purposes through it. And only His purposes will make LLRC worthwhile “for such a time as this” Esther 4:14b. This means, Prayer is of utmost importance. Julie’s favorite life verse is 1 Thes. 5:16-18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Julie has served on several prayer teams, both with local churches and ministry related teams. She is active in several prayer chains, both personal and ministry related. She has served in the public schools in an instructional support capacity, and taught and assisted in Sunday school. Julie graduated from the Univ. of Miami with a Bachelors in Elem. Education, and from CAT Brandywine as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Barn Manager
Melanie Bowman
Melanie, a sister and foster sister to many, has combined her love for children and horses at Locust Lane Riding Center. She has been volunteering for three years and recently named the Barn Manager. She gives riding lessons, leads trail rides, cares for the horses, leads camp activities and takes care of and manages the barn.
Recently, Melanie began working as a high school intern at The Parkesburg POINT. Here, she is learning how to develop and implement programs for inner city at-risk youth from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Melanie plans to follow her heart and the Lord's leading and attend St. Andrews University online studying Equine Business and Therapeutic Riding.
Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Core Leadership Team
Michelle Rossi
Michelle has been serving as a faithful volunteer at Locust Lane since the spring of 2019. She is a lifelong horsewoman, with fond experiences of riding her grandparent's pony throughout the neighborhood surrounding their farm in Broomall as a child.
Michelle is currently co-leader of our prayer team and serves in Upward Transitions.
Gratitude
We are so thankful for the opportunity Jesus has given us to work together as a team at Locust Lane. We are passionate about loving others the way Jesus has loved us. We are grateful to share the experience of freedom and peace through the love and grace we received from Jesus Christ.