Jan Butler Loveless, PhD, President and Founder of J-Bar Ranch Center for Experiential Learning, is a career educator with K-12-university and corporate teaching experience. During her decade of residence in the San Joaquin Valley, Dr. Loveless has taught developmental English to students at College of the Sequoias; directed a Reading Comprehension Research study funded by the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community College System; supervised student teachers of English for California State University, Fresno; and taught graduate students in Chapman University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. Dr. Loveless’s doctoral specialties include reading theory, multicultural education and the politics of literacy. Appointed by Secretary of Education Richard Riley to the National Assessment Governing Board, Dr. Loveless became well versed in the national statistics of academic failure. As an equine-facilitated educator, Dr. Loveless holds Equine Assisted Psycho- therapy Level 1 certification, is a former member of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association Board, and is a member of Equine Growth and Learning Association, North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Equine Growth and Education Association and numerous equine breed-specific associations. Dr. Loveless serves as education director and lead instructor at J-Bar Ranch.

Sid (“Buzz”) Loveless, MS, Managing Partner of J-Bar Ranch, is a retired human resources director of The Dow Chemical Company who now serves as training and special projects coordinator for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tulare County. There he recruits and trains adult advocates for abused and neglected youth detained by Child Welfare Services and placed in foster care. A dedicated volunteer advocate for teenage boys in foster care, Mr. Loveless is also an accomplished horseman. He grew up with horses, riding both English and Western and assisting his father in running You, Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that taught horsemanship, equitation, camping and gun safety to thousands of Bryan/College Station, TX-area youth. For more than a decade, Mr. Loveless assisted annually in driving his family’s mule-drawn wagon on the Salt Grass Trail Ride to kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. An outdoorsman and creative problem-solver, Mr. Loveless is an Eagle Scout, a former Boy Scouts District Chairman, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Explorer Leader. He serves as primary horsemanship instructor and oversees project logistics for J-Bar Ranch.

Jessica Graham, J-Bar Riding Instructor, has worked a dozen years as a horse professional, and has competed in everything from barrel racing to cutting and western pleasure. She is a nursing student at College of the Sequoias when she is not working at J-Bar Ranch, team roping with twin sister Nicole, or schooling her horses.

Christie Hagin, J-Bar Ranch Riding Instructor, has experience as veterinary technician for Pacific Crest Equine Services, nursery school teacher and assistant horse trainer. An FFA participant and a volunteer at Happy Trails, a therapeutic riding facility for the physically challenged, Christie holds an AA degree from College of the Sequoias, where she competed on the Equestrian Team. Skilled in working with horses and with humans of all ages, Christie assists with instruction of participants and with training of J-Bar horses.

Anna Roland-Hatfield, MA an experienced elementary school teacher, currently teaches fourth grade at Heritage Elementary School in Tulare, CA. She has four years of experience at the first grade level and holds a master's degree with emphasis in reading instruction. Ms. Roland-Hatfield grew up on a ranch, where she often worked cattle with her father. Throughout high school and college, she competed in barrel racing. Ms. Roland-Hatfield is gifted at working with both children and horses. She teaches part-time in J-Bar's Saturday classes during the school year and full-time in J-Bar's summer camp program. She also works year-round assisting Ms. Graham in riding and maintaining J-Bar's lesson horses.

Colleen Battistoni, experienced graphic artist and art teacher at Valley Life Charter School, teaches the multi-subject centers in J-Bar's weekday and Saturday classes and in summer camp. An experienced English rider who competed in Pony Club and three-day eventing growing up, Ms. Battistoni assists with riding instruction and with keeping J-Bar's lesson horses ridden and well maintained. Ms. Battistoni works especially well with creative projects and with special needs children.

Luis Gonzales is a sophomore pre-equine veterinary student at California State University, Fresno. Luis has worked part-time for J-Bar through high school and college. He's gifted at interacting with kids and horses.

Bill Bradley and Cody Bradley, Farriers and owners of Bradley Horseshoeing, Hanford, CA, demonstrate hoof trimming, horseshoeing and teach good hoof care, so critical to management of horses. They help participants understand the old adage: “No foot, no horse.”

Nicki Edwards, professional photographer for more than 30 years and owner of Nicki Edwards Portraiture, Porterville, provides photographic documentation J-Bar Ranch classes and framed portraits for participants. An animal activist and rescuer/rehabilitator of dogs, Ms. Edwards advises the Porterville City Council on animal issues and is working to establish a new animal shelter for the Porterville area. She enjoys assisting with J-Bar Ranch programs.

Heidi Allen Coelho, Assistant Instructor, has 10 years of experience as a small animal veterinary technician, and holds degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Management. Heidi has extensive experience working as a trail guide for a pack string in the California mountains. A full-time employee of a local office products production company, Heidi, gifted teacher and outstanding organizer, works with readers and riders in J-Bar's Saturday classes.

Carol Berryhill, Substitute Instructor, is a recently retired teacher with 34 years of classroom experience who assists with the academic components of the J-Bar Ranch program. Carol received her Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from University of California, Davis. After acquiring her elementary teaching credential, Carol spent the main portion of her career teaching middle grades in Tulare City Schools. She has long been a strong advocate of the use of authentic literature as the main component in reading instruction and she is recognized locally for her expertise in that area. Carol has a love for animals of all sorts, and her lifelong passion for horses makes J-Bar Ranch one of her favorite places to be in her retirement.

Maddie Ward is a freshman at College of the Sequoias with a long-term goal of a four-year degree and a career in agribusiness. She is a barrel racer who enjoys training horses for that sport.

Jenna Hesselink is a freshman at College of the Sequoias with plans to transfer to Colorado State University. She rides on an equine drill team and has recently begun to barrel race.

Angela Gonzalez is a senior at Woodlake High School who is not yet sure of her choice of colleges or her major--but she's making good grades and keeping her options open. She's very artistic and loves working with kids in Horse & Reader.