Our Staff
Ashley Boswell
Founder & Executive Director
Ashley holds a B.A. in Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Masters degree in Counseling from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and is currently pursuing her PhD in Christian Counseling. She has counseled youth and families in traditional settings and taught children with autism in public school. In 2004, Ashley founded Shepherd Youth Ranch, accomplishing her life-long dream of pairing horses with youth in need. She is certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning through EAGALA. Her background in riding is jumping, dressage, liberty and natural horsemanship. She is an official Level 4 graduate of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program and serves as the Youth Programs Coordinator for the Parelli Foundation. In 2013, Mrs. Boswell received the Soroptimist Ruby Award at the Triangle Women of Distinction awards banquet for women helping women and girls in the community. Ashley’s compassion, servant heart and energizing spirit are evident in her relationships with children, parents and horses.
Debbie Lewis
Trail to Success Program Manager
Debbie holds a BS in Health Science Education from Ohio University and a Masters in Counseling from Colorado Christian University. She has counseled middle school, high school, and college students. Debbie has worked in a residential treatment facility with people coming out of abusive and crisis situations. Debbie grew up riding horses in a variety of settings and has always seen the value of the relationship between horse and human. She is an official level 3 graduate of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program. Debbie is excited to join the team at Shepherd Youth Ranch.
Geri Bickers
Community Outreach Coordinator
Geri is thrilled to officially join the Shepherd Youth Ranch team! Geri’s welcoming smile helps those new to SYR find their “sweet spot” in volunteering at the ranch. Geri comes to SYR with 14 years experience coordinating volunteers and events as the Children’s Minister at North Raleigh Church of Christ. Now she joins our staff to help YOU find your place at the ranch that restores dreams as the Community Outreach Coordinator.
Ragan Raupach
Equine Specialist
Ragan is our Equine Specialist for Trails to Success and Ring Leader for Distinguished Riders. She absolutely adores the children at the Ranch and especially has a heart for the DR kids.
John Tart
Facility Manager
Jessica Tart
Equine Manager
Jessica is a North Carolina native from Sampson County. The passion for equine was sparked at an early age while Jessica, followed her father around when he traveled for his Farrier services. Throughout the years the passion grew and Jessica strived to learn as much about horses as possible. Jessica is a graduate from North Carolina State University with degrees in both Animal and Poultry Science, as well as minors in nutrition and agribusiness. During her time at NC State, Jessica assisted in several equine research projects and participated in classes focused on equine training and breeding. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys canning, wood working, golf, gardening and spending time with her fiance, John and their three dogs. Jessica feels at home at Shepherd Youth Ranch and loves caring for the horses, working with the volunteers, and teaching the interns. “I felt at home the first time I rode down the driveway and I know that I am here to care for the horses, but I feel like the horses are helping me strengthen my relationship with the Lord.”
Sullivan Short
Equine Manager
Sullivan is from Oxford, North Carolina.
She has always loved horses and knew that she wanted to work with them in some way when she became older. She became aware of EAP work with horses and knew that this was the field for her! She went to Averett University and graduated in May of 2021. She double-majored in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Management. During her time at Averett, she had a lot of hands-on horse-related classes learning about the care and management of horses in various topics. During the summer of 2020, she interned for SYR and loved the environment, people, and horses! “I am very excited to be able to join the team at SYR and am so excited to grow and connect with the staff, interns, volunteers, and anyone who drives through our gate”
Rhiannon Hayes
Supervising Intern
Rhiannon (Rhi) came to the ranch at 15 years old. She started in our Trails to Success program where her fear of horses quickly became a strong trust between a hurting child and a gentle giant. Rhi fell in love with the horses in our program and at the end of her 18 weeks she didn’t want to leave. She volunteered in every way that she could to spend time with the horses. In return, the ranch and the horses gave her a purpose in life. Rhi became a regular volunteer before moving on to Intern, where she became certified in Biblically Based Equine Assisted Therapy through Shepherd Academy. Now a Supervising Intern, she is furthering her education in Counseling to someday be able to help people in the way that the ranch helped her. In the meantime, Rhi is a mentor in our Trailblazers program and helps with sessions to learn as much as she can.
Betsy Balas
Operation’s Manager
