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.
Carol Berryhill, Reading Specialist and Program Assistant, 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.
Christie Hagin, J-Bar Ranch Barn Manager & 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, Ms. Hagin holds an AA degree from College of the Sequoias, where she competed on the Equestrian Team. Ms. Hagin grew up in New York state, where from a young age, she assisted her grandfather with his teams of draft horses. Skilled in working with horses and with humans of all ages, Ms. Hagin assists with instruction of participants and with training of J-Bar horses.
Luis Gonzales, outstanding 11th grade student at Woodlake High School, assists with horse management, set-up and clean- up of project activities, and serves as instructor’s assistant for a variety of activities. A straight “A” student with a career goal of veterinary medicine, Luis is an excellent role model for K-12 participants.
Dr. Helen Christian, BVetMed, graduate of the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and associate veterinarian for Pacific Crest Equine Services, provides veterinary care to J-Bar horses and instruction in horse management to J-Bar participants. A lifelong animal lover and horsewoman, Dr. Christian competed in show jumping and one-day- eventing as a youth. Her own horses currently include a one-eyed Quarter Horse gelding and a Dutch Warmblood mare. Dr. Christian excels in communicating with both horses and humans. She is a favorite instructor of J-Bar participants and a great role model; she has participated in charitable expeditions to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Ghana.
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.