Denice Weeks, HNR President & Board Member

Denice has had horses since she was three years old and particpated in 4-H as well as showing horses when she was young. She obtained her first rescue horse 12 years ago and has been hooked on helping horses ever since.  She is looking forward to begin to show horses once again now that her daughters are in college and says she is "proud to be involved in an organization that does so much for horses in need."

Jamie Martin, HNR Treasurer & Board Member

Jamie was born into a horse loving family and began riding lessons at age 7 and was given her first horse at age 8; who was a member of the family for 10 years.  Over the years her passion for horses was put on the back burner to attend college and build a career.  Jamie recently joined HNR to get back into the “horse world” and help amazing horses with their journey.  Jamie believes the unconditional love between a horse and owner is an unbreakable bond that stays with you for a lifetime.   

Anne Keith, HNR Secretary & Board Member

Anne Keith has been around horses most of her life, and has loved them since she could say the word “horse.” She saved her babysitting and lawnmowing money to buy her first horse at age 13. Although she hasn't been a horse owner in quite a while, she was fully involved in horse raising, training, showing, giving lessons, and even driving Standardbreds for many years. For much of that time, she lived on a farm and managed her own barn. She was also able to benefit from a father-in-law who was a very active member in 4-H, the Kalamazoo County Fair, and horse-raising himself, and who taught her a great deal. She first became involved with Horse North Rescue in 2016 after retiring from a teaching career. She says, “I hope to be able to repay horses for all that they've given to me over the years.”

Lyndsay Batsakis, HNR Volunteer Communications & Board Member

Lyndsay's experience with horses started when she was 6 years old.  She grew up learning to ride English on Arabians which is still her favorite combo today.  In grade school she would clean stalls after school to help pay for lessons and a lease on her first horse a gray arab named Bosyn. Lyndsay spent many years enjoying trail riding and showing on Bo.   After college, Lyndsay. dabbled in training horses, giving lessons, and in a bit of dressage.  She took on a rescue horse before her second child was born.  Horses are Lyndsay's greatest love and pleasure.  She feels that volunteering for HNR is a way to give back to the horsesthat colored her childhood and that have brought her a special kind of peace.

Diana Aug, HNR Volunteer Orientation Coordinator

Marian Vermeulen, HNR Training Director