Board & Staff

  “Joy and Strength Through Horses”

The Board of Directors of HorseFriends is a group of volunteers who love horses, have special expertise in therapy and therapeutic riding, and who want to help give people "joy and strength" through horses. They oversee the creation and implementation of courses designed to help each of our groups' needs, the training of volunteers, the care of our horses, and the authority of HorseFriends. Below, you will find a bit about each of them.

Emilie Storch, PhD (with CiCi)
Founder

Dr. Emilie Storch is a practicing clinical psychologist. Having owned horses in her youth, Emilie has always desired to combine her love for horses and her gift of counseling. Emilie designs and oversees specific curriculum to fit the needs of each group. Emilie is a wife and mother of three, and in addition to her family life, she enjoys spending time with the therapy horses who live just down the hill from her home.

"HorseFriends is one of God's ways of touching the hurting and rejected with His love. I am continually amazed that I am allowed to watch God's love bring healing and freedom to broken lives through something that I love to do."

Mandy Crews (with Lizzie & son, Will)
President

Mandy Crews and is married and is the mother of two special gifts from God, Will and Vera. She has a Masters in Public Health and works part-time. She grew up with ponies and horses and after 12 years of being without either she was blessed to have horses back in her life. She now has a beautiful 8-year-old paint horse named Lacy. She feels so fortunate to call the very farm where she grew up the home of HorseFriends.

"Being a part of HorseFriends has been an awesome blessing in my life. It's so rewarding to be a part of something that is such a blessing to others and to do it alongside these wonderful animals!

Julie Hart, CPA (with Romie & Flash)
Treasurer

Julie Hart has over 25 years experience as a CPA. She grew up riding horses and has shown her Arabians both locally and nationally. When she is not busy as a CPA, Julie works with developmentally disabled individuals through HorseFriends. She and fellow board member, Mandy Crews, develop fun and fulfilling activities designed for the mentally and physically handicapped to enjoy on horseback. Julie also likes riding dressage on her Half-Arabian gelding.

"HorseFriends has given me the opportunity to share my love of horses and my love for God with people from all walks of life. God has blessed me so that I may be a blessing to others. God can use anything, even horses, to bring glory to him."

Van Everett

Van grew up taking care of the family Palomino and had forgotten all about horses until he volunteered at HorseFriends. HorseFriends has renewed his love for horses but more than that has given him a way to express his love for the special people God brings into our lives.

Traditionally we try to help others and do good deeds as our Father has instructed us to do but it is our lives that are richly blessed in return.

Will Jones, Au.D.

Will works as an audiologist as well as a representative of a manufacturer of digital hearing aids. He grew up in eastern Virginia riding Welch Ponies for most of his childhood and teenage years.

For about 30 years, Will lost touch with horses on a regular basis until December of 2007 when he bought Roddy (seen here) who had never been ridden. He loves spending time training Roddy and Lacy, a horse he recently got for his wife. We are very excited to have Will as a new member of our board of directors.

Just ask him now about horses. He says, "I'm addicted. I am passionate about horses and how they can be used to bless others."

Brian Stewart

Brian is married with four kids, three of which are on the autistic spectrum.

He became involved with Horse Friends after a friend gave him a copy of the book Joy and Strength Through Horses. His two youngest boys ride as participants, and he and his two teenagers help as volunteers. Brian and his wife Bonnie bought his grandparents' home in southeastern Guilford county, and are working towards turning it into a horse farm. Brian has lots of odd hobbies and interests like puppetry and video production, and he thinks that horses would be a great addition to that list. Brian has been an application software engineer for the past 23 years, but he hopes to one day work with teens and young adults on the autistic spectrum, helping them to find and develop their gifts.

Steve Pence is married and has two daughters. He currently serves as the Chaplain for HorseFriends.

Steve has served in ministry positions such as associate pastor, assistant pastor and the pastor of youth and young adults.

He began at HorseFriends as our Director of Development and Programs. Now, as our Chaplain, Steve gives Christian caring and support while families are participating at riding sessions.  He opens the sessions in prayer, shares God's Word, and spends time with the families. He listens to needs and finds out how HorseFriends can best pray for and serve these people. 

  HorseFriends is a Christian non-profit group located in Greensboro, North Carolina.