Our Staff
The staff of Courageous Connections not only share their valuable knowledge and expertise, but their passion in supporting others through horses and nature. They expand the reach of our program by bringing their own unique background and education for the benefit of our mission.
Angela Farnsworth
Administrative Assistant
Favorite Quote:
"Not all those who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien
Angela is a proud mom of two and a lifelong creative with a background in administration, marketing, and web design and interactive media. Above all, she is passionate about horses, their care, well-being, and the belief that they are sentient beings with emotions, needs, and their own unique voices.
Her journey with horses changed when Hank came into her life. Wanting to understand him better and find kinder, more respectful ways of working together led her to Mustang Maddy, Nancy Kittleson, and Sharon Wilsie’s Horse Speak in 2021. Learning to listen to horses through their body language opened her eyes to a whole new way of connecting and, unexpectedly, led her toward the world of Equine Assisted Learning.
Angela joined Courageous Connections because she wanted to share the same magic she experienced with her own horses. She loves volunteering and seeing participants light up as they connect with the horses and other animals on the farm. She also enjoys being part of the team behind the scenes, helping with scheduling and bringing her creative experience to CC’s website and marketing. She is currently working toward becoming a PATH Intl. instructor and feels incredibly grateful to be growing alongside the horses, participants, and community she has come to love.
Olga Surmacheva
Program Director
Favorite Quote:
“Do not spoil the wonder with haste!” - J.R.R. Tolkien
Olga has been working with horses for over twenty years and is passionate about cultivating connection through liberty work and thoughtful groundwork. As a certified Straightness Training Instructor and Large Animal Massage Practitioner, she brings a holistic, horse‑centered approach to every program she develops.
Drawn to the intersection of horses, creativity, and youth development, Olga believes deeply in the transformative power of equine‑assisted experiences. Horses have profoundly shaped her own life, and she is committed to creating opportunities for participants, especially young people, to experience confidence, curiosity, and emotional growth through quality time with these remarkable animals.
In her role at Courageous Connections, Olga loves sharing her knowledge and watching volunteers and participants integrate it into their own horsemanship journeys. She is continually inspired by the moments when someone discovers a new way of understanding or connecting with a horse.
Outside of her work, Olga finds joy in spending time with her two geldings, continuing to learn from them and appreciating the quiet magic they bring to everyday life.
Patricia Gillette (she/her)
Facility & Equine Director
Favorite Quote:
"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyways."
I have been around horses since college. I was in no way able to own my own horse but knew I wanted to be around them so I joined Equest Special Riders in Tacoma back in 2010 because I have a love for both horses and helping those with physical and mental disabilities. We’re always told that we make a difference in people’s lives but I believe that our participants make a difference in our life. I am now the main instructor for that organization. I moved up here to Edmonds in the summer of 2021 and started working for the Edmonds School District as a custodian. I haven’t really been able to connect with the horse community up here and only making it to Tacoma once a week made me miss my horses. I am excited to venture on this new journey with Courageous Connections and get to spend time with both horses and participants!
Leah Hutchins (she/her)
Instructor
Favorite Quote:
“Be the change you would like to see in the world.” -Gandhi
Leah started riding when she was 5 years old. She owned and showed two horses starting in junior high school until she graduated from high school. Leah loved to teach horseback riding lessons when she was younger. Her educational background is in abnormal psychology and criminal science. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelors of Science degree in HDFS (human development and family studies). She has been working in Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy classes since 2017 with people ranging from age 4 to 84 years old with a wide range of diagnoses and treatment goals. Her passion for working with people and horses shines through whenever she is around!
Shelley Lovell (she/her)
Instructor
Favorite Quote:
"Love is really more of an interactive process. It's about what we do, not just what we feel. It's a verb, not a noun." -Bell Hooks
Shelley is a Washington transplant from Anchorage, Alaska where she grew up enjoying the great outdoors. Her love of horses began at the age of three while visiting family in Oregon and Washington, often riding horses in the summer months, into her teen years. That love of horses was reignited as an adult when she came to Courageous Connections where she herself had been a participant, parent of a participant, and volunteer and currently an Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning instructor. Professionally, Shelley is an elementary school teacher and has found a profound passion of combining both worlds of horses and teaching while working in the classroom and in the arena. She absolutely loves being a part of one's journey; the learning and growing that transpires while working with people and horses is truly magical.
Mental Health Providers
Cynthia Farley (she/her)
Favorite Quote:
“Your true home is in the here and the now.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to have a pony when I was a kid, and loved riding bareback across the fields, through the forests, and near the creeks in Vancouver, Washington. I enjoyed learning and the community of 4-H: riding Western, showing, and riding in parades.
As an adult, it was a thrill to ride English and learn to jump. I was privileged to bond with my mare, Solly, for 12 years. With her I loved centered riding, liberty and relationship training, and trail riding.
I am a licensed counselor and registered nurse with a focus on mindfulness, present moment experience, and what is happening in the body and energy field. I have experience with many modalities and a specialty in Hakomi, Internal Family Systems, and Psoma. My focus is on awareness, presence, attunement, playfulness, and possibilities.