Here at Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning Center, our mission is simple. We want to provide horse-based therapies to facilitate growth, learning and healing to people of all abilities including the disabled, disadvantaged and special needs. We could not do that without our dedicated volunteers or the following dedicated members on our board.
Jay D Muller, President & Co-Founder
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Jay D. grew up around horses all his life. Having attained a Masters Degree in special education, Jay D. taught in the public schools for 10 years and coached high school basketball for 17 years. He left teaching for 10 years and served as a Regional Vice President for a financial services office before returning to the classroom three years ago. It was in his time away from teaching that Jay D. and his wife Suzanne started Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning Center. |
Suzanne Muller, Co-Founder/ Treasurer
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Suzanne is a Special Education teacher with Mesa County Valley School District 51 and has been for the past 20 years. Suzanne receives joy from the work at Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning Center; joy from the interaction with clients; joy from watching the clients conquer their anxieties, fears, challenges; joy from our equine partners; and joy that each one of our volunteers brings to GVEALC.
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Melissa McConnell, Vice President
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Mel McConnell was raised around animals and is currently wrangling 3 teenager girls with her husband Harold Welage. She wears many hats as; a mom, wife, a 4-H leader, and nurse. She graduated from Mesa State with her Bachelors in Science in Nursing and her professional background is in psychiatry, pharmacology and trauma informed care throughout the lifespan. She is currently a nurse in a local high school and is creating a parenting and teaching program for adults and children to better understand their brains and emotions while improving self regulation. Mel enjoys the family's pets and farm critters, gardening, hiking, nature photography, creating art, and crafting, being in the kitchen, yoga and religious and cultural studies. You will often find her and the family at Moon Farm in the barnyard!
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Marty Ealey, Secretary
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Marty is a certified medical transcriptionist and has been for nearly 60 years. Marty and her husband have been married 55 years, have 4 kids, 9 grandkids, and 2 great-grandchildren. While plants may not be her forte; horses, dogs, cats, Guinea pigs, and mice are. When she is not helping at the farm Marty like to read, sew, knit and crochet.
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Harold Welage
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Harold Welage has over 20 years in medical records with emphasis in psychiatric and mental health regulations. He and Mel have been married for 18 years and together they help their 3 daughters manage the animals for 3w livestock. When he isn't feeding the cows bananas, Harold enjoys history and hiking around finding native rock arts. Harold loves his family and finds his joy in helping others and his community.
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Lewis Martin
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Lewis and his wife have been active members in the community and are local business owners of Fruita Copy Shop. Lewis previously owned a food truck that was well known for its great sandwiches. Lewis has been a big help in advertising and fundraising for us here at GVEALC. When not helping with Bingo Lewis enjoys spending time with his family and amongst the community.
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Dawn Martin
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Dawn is the co-owner of Fruita Copy Shop and does all of the design work for print orders. Dawn has been a key member in our advertising and event planning. Dawn enjoys spending time with her grandkids when she's not in the print shop.
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