Melissa Ulmer - President

Melissa grew up around horses and her love for helping them drove her to start rescuing horses from slaughter. Her first rescue was a small pony named Scout that she got for her daughter. After seeing how many horses and ponies were sent to slaughter each year, she decided to open her own rescue to help as many horses she possibly could. In October of 2013 Melissa started A Pony's Paradise Equine Rescue and started rescuing horses immediately.

Melissa's determination goes above and beyond when it comes to the horses. She is at the barn rain or shine, most of the time by herself, caring for the horses and making sure they are happy and healthy. She never takes a day off and will stay at the barn until late at night and even into the early morning if one of the horses is sick, always making sure they receive the best of care.

Melissa has already helped many horses, giving them the care they need and finding several their forever homes. She is determined to help save more horses in the years to come and give them the chance at a future they deserve.

Lisa Haines - Vice President

Lisa has been a professional in the horse industry for 30 years, training, teaching and managing barns.  She is passionate about rescue and animal welfare. She uses her expertise to work with the rescued horses to give them the best possible education so they can fine great homes. She feels that working with rescue horses is a great way to use her skills and experience to give back.

Nicole Curcio - Secretary

Nicole has her masters degree in Library Science from the University at Albany.  She has been a horse fanatic since she was a child and now has 4 horses of her own; Sundance, Po, Comanche, and Big Ben who live among the APPER rescues.  She has helped out at APPER for the last couple years volunteering her time cleaning, mucking and grooming when she could.  As a board member she will be helping with all APPER's social media, fundraising, and community relations as well as helping out at the barn on a regular basis.  Nicole is also the mother of three dogs, two eels, two beta fish, and a crested gecko.  Feel free to contact Nicole through any of APPER's social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Janice Egan - Treasurer

Janice's love for horses has driven her to help us save as many horses as possible. Her knowledge of accounting has helped APPER with their finances. Janice's greatest love is for her horses Suzie and Merlyn.

Jessica Carson - Fundraising and Outreach

Jessica has been on the back of a horse since she was a little girl, and hasn’t gotten off. In April of 2018, she adopted one of APPER’s rescues, Roman, and loves him to the moon and back. Jessica is currently getting her Master’s in Social Work and would one day like to combine clinical therapy and horses, because there is no denying the way horses can heal our hearts.