Staff

MEET THE STAFF OF CONLEY & KOONTZ

Lori Williams

Facility Caretaker

Lori grew up in Sheridan Indiana and has been riding horses from a young age. She enjoys competeing with her Quarter Horse, Buzz any chance they get, mainly in barrel racing. When Lori isn't keeping Conley and Koontz Equine Hospital clean, caring for our patients or riding Buzz, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Stan and the rest of her family.

Christina Maurer

Office and Finance Manager, Pharmacist

Christina grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After graduating from Northrop High School she attend IPFW University and obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematic and Business Accounting. She has over 10 years experience of Accounting. She was also very active in Allen County 4-H. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, bowling, tanning by the pool, walks and travel.

Megan Hook

Receptionist

Megan grew up on a small farm outside of Bluffton, IN. Despite not having her own horse until adulthood, she was still lableled the "horse girl" in grade school. Her passion for horses lead her to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College where she participated in stable management as one of her course electives. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Human Services. In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her pets, crocheting and learning about aquatic ecosystems.

Amanda Bays

Receptionist, Veterinary Assistant

Amanda grew up near Silver Lake, IN and later on Pierceton, IN. She graduated Whitko High School and Huntington Beauty College. She was a 10 yr Kosciusko County 4H member. Growing up she showed WP and Halter in AQHYA, AQHA, IBHA, MQHA, & Congress with many titled accomplishments. Today, her & her husband Zeb, daughters Chase & Breece, and son Lane, all compete in IBRA and NFRA. She is still active in 4H and helps with the local FFA chapter. In her spare time, she enjoys rehabbing wildlife, camping, fishing, hunting, swimming, crafting/sewing, gardening, baking, spending time with friends/family and her beloved AKC Pembroke Welsh Corgis and AKC European Great Dane.

MaKayla Runge Helgeson

Social Media Coordinator, Veterinary Assistant

MaKayla was 4 years old when she got her first pony, Nemo, who started her drive to make a career for herself in the horse world. Growing up on a small horse farm in Albion, IN, MaKayla rode as much as she could. As a freshman in high school, she trained at Albion College with their hunter jumper trainer before she went on to work at a breeding and training facility in southern Indiana. After giving lessons to new riders for a few years and training horses, MaKayla then decided to learn about the medical side of the equine world, which is when she joined the Conley and Koontz team in the summer of 2021. MaKayla spends her free time working with her two thoroughbreds, Gatsby and Niko.

Kaytlyn Kreider

Veterinary Technician

Kaytlyn grew up in Huntington county. After she graduated from Huntington North High School she atteneded International Business College where she gained her Associates of Applied Science degree. Kaytlyn enjoys the outdoors, working out, and hanging out with family and friends.

Shannon Hoover

Veterinary Technician

Shannon grew up in Logansport Indiana where she was president of the cass county horse and pony club. After graduating from Logansport High School she attended Purdue University and obtained her bachelors of science degree in animal science. She is now currently working toward her RVN through Purdue University Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program . In her spare time she loves spending time outdoors with her husband Aaron and thier three Australian shepherds Apollo, Midas, and Iris.

Karlee Barnhill

Veterinary Technician

Karlee Barnhill comes from of a big family raised on a farm in Jonesville, MI, she brings a lifelong passion for animals to our clinic. With early exposure to horse riding, Karlee's journey into the world of rodeo, specializing in barrel racing and pole competitions, has shaped her deep connection to the equine. Currently on the cusp of completing her bachelor's degree in Biology/Animal Science at Indiana Tech, she is on track to graduate this May 2024. Eager to further her expertise, Karlee aspires to enter veterinary school in the fall of 2024 with a dedicated focus on equine care. Beyond her professional pursuits, she maintains an active lifestyle, spending time at the gym and riding when she gets a chance. Karlee enjoys her involvement in youth activities at her church, while also spending time shared with her boyfriend, Landon, and her pets, including two dogs, a cat, and a hedgehog.

Jacquelyn Werstler

Veterinary Technician

Our lone cow girl comes to us as a Columbia City native. Jacquelyn has been around cattle and livestock her whole life as well as horses as her twin sister trained and showed on the contesting circuit. Jacquelyn recieved her Associates from Butler Community College and her Bachelors at Kansas State University. In her free time she enjoys showing livestock with her son, watching Patriots football, and being an assistant coach for the Columbia City Livestock Judging team.

Ryland Wilson

Veterinary Technician

Ryland grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana where he graduated from IBC-Indianapolis with an Associates in Veterinary Technology. He's been riding and showing horses since 2013 and has had a deep love for animals all his life. In his free time, he enjoys photography, training dogs, and going on hikes with his German Shepherd.

Megan Land

Veterinary Technician

Megan grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she graduated from Homestead high school. Megan departed shortly after to attend basic training for the United States ARMY. In the ARMY, she was trained as an Animal Care Specialist and stationed at her one and only duty station at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There she worked closely with the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, where she realised just how much she wanted to make a career for herself in the equine industry after not growing up with the opportunity. Megan enjoys working on her car and spending time with her family.

Amanda Scherrer

Veterinary Assistant

Amanda has been riding horses since she was 7 years old. She initially took jumping lessons and quickly found a passion for barrel racing. Now as a 30 year old, she travels the MidWest competing in IBRA, GBRA, BBRP, NBHA, and AQHA. She is a 5 time BBRP 1D Champion, placed top 10 at the All American Quarter Horse Congress 2017, 1D NBHA-IN Champion 2016, Indiana IBRA 1D Reserve Champion 2014, to name a few accomplishments she is proud of. Amanda joined the Conley and Koontz team in the summer of 2017. Along with training her horse, she spends all the time she can with her daughter, Emily.

Kallie Woollweaver

Veterinary Assistant

Columbia City local, Kallie was homeschooled her whole life and plans to continue advancing her education by pursuing her associates as a Veterinary Technician. Despite not growing up in the horse or agricultural world, she paved her own path after buying her first horse, Tex, at 16 and hasn't stopped barrel racing since. While not at Conley and Koontz, Kallie keeps herself busy as a firefighter and first responder, being active in her church, competing in weekend barrel races, and spending time with her family and friends.

Chelsea Alwardt

Veterinary Assistant

Justin Garcia

Veterinary Assistant

Megan Rjasko

Veterinary Assistant

Providing the highest quality equine medical and surgical service photo by Doug Prather www.doughprather.com