Staff

Tori Popio: Assistant to Co-Founders

Having loved horses all her life, Tori found Whispering Grace Horses while she was a sophomore in high school at Jackson nearly 6 years ago. Now a senior at Walsh University, Tori is studying Behavioral Science and Spanish. She will pursue a Master's degree in School Counseling following the completion of her undergraduate credits. Tori holds many positions at Walsh including that of a Resident Assistant, a peer tutor, and an orientation leader. Tori is also the Co-President of Walsh University's Equestrian Team, which competes at various universities such as Findlay, Oberlin, Lake Erie, and Tiffin. At Whispering Grace Horses, Tori assists in the training of new session leaders, performs individual sessions every week and helps with training of the horses.

Katie Walkup

Katie has always had a love for horses and helping people. She grew up riding and showing quarter horses and as time went on, her passion turned into a ministry calling. Throughout the years Katie has been able to find comfort in horses and her faith through life’s ups and downs. “I believe that horses can teach us so much about the gospel; forgiveness, trust, relationship—these are all things we can have with Christ and build with horses.” Katie also has a heart for veterans. Her uncle, both grandfathers, and grandfather-in-law all served in the military. Katie helps facilitate Freedom Farm at Whispering Grace Horses by leading sessions and operations. She is a blessing to each individual that visits the farm.

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Stan Nabors

Stan is originally from Oklahoma where he first worked with horses on a cattle ranch. He then spent 12 years in the Army as a Military Police Officer until he was medically retired. Upon retirement he moved to Ohio with his family where he began his involvement with numerous organizations that aid and support veterans. Eventually he learned of Freedom Farm from our daughter and began coming out as a volunteer. Freedom Farm became more than a form of therapy and sanctuary he could recommend to others, it became his second home.

He keeps Freedom Farm at Whispering Grace Horses looking its best and takes his time with each of the horses on a daily basis. He is a natural with the horses and is always willing to share his time with everyone at the farm.

Betty Aman

Every Now and again giving, beautiful, hardworking, and ever present individuals enter our lives. Such is the case with this heart felt lady that lives down the street from our farm. So many people in Tuscarawas Township already know who we are describing. She remains our own personal rock....a person we go to when we are troubled, when we are sad, when we are full of joy, and who always seems to be there during any time we need to talk about our faith! We have leaned on her shoulder so many times, and her advice and wisdom gives us the peace we strive to find.

Our property at Whispering Grace Horses is taken care of with love. She knows just about everything we need before we neet it and when we laugh together it is 'priceless". Our horses know her ways and have picked up some mannersisms only Betty can relay. Never has there been a situation she has turned down when it pertains to "her step horses". She loves those horses like her own and they sure know as soon as she steps foot in the barn.

We are forever grateful for God directing her to us, and we are just throwing these words out to others in the area.....don't get any ideas....Betty is ours and ours alone. Our horses would go on strike if this lady would leave. We are forever grateful for her being such an integral part of our lives. She could be and probably is that angel assigned to Bill, Marcia and the horses at Whispering Grace Horses.

When you come visit if you meet Betty.... your life will change...of that you can be assured. Betty is pictured here with her two horses from her farm down the street.