Happy Tails Haven Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Meet our board of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about horse rescue, caring for horses, giving horses second chances, and educating the community about what we do.
President and Founder
Klara Parks
Klara is the Founder and current Director of Happy Tails Haven. She is a life long animal lover. She is an RN by profession and the chief caretaker of all animals at the rescue.
happytailshaven.org
Co-founder
Kathy Kroeger
Kathleen Kroeger is the co-founder and former board member of Happy Tails Haven Horse Rescue and Sanctuary. She is an enthusiastic member of the community and small business owner of Kroegers Cleaning Service. In her free time, Kathleen loves the outdoors and enjoys riding horses, camping, fishing, and chasing her puppies around.
happytailshaven.org
Vice President
Janet Miller
I have been an animal lover my whole life. I work as a nurse and I am passionate that every animal deserves a loving home without having to worry about when they will get their next meal. In my free time, I am either chasing around one of our numerous Boston Terriers or am out with the horses. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about our Rescue and Sanctuary!
happytailshaven.org
Secretary
Lydia Traeder
Lydia is a Registered Nurse in Rapid City. She moved here in Jan. 2020 to start nursing school at SDSU. She became a volunteer at Happy Tails in 2021. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with the Happy Tails horses, and her horses, working cows at the ranch and showing at AQHA shows and local horse shows. She is a member of the Black Hills Sorting and Cutting Club and Vice President of Boots and Saddle Horse Club. She is also the co-chair of her unit council at work and a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and teaches the future generations of nurses at her Alma Mater. Lydia also helps Klara with the care of the animals at the rescue.
happytailshaven.org
Board Member/Adoption Coordinator
Darlene Gilby
Darlene is our adoption coordinator and a board member at large. She is a Registered Nurse in Rapid City, SD. When she is not volunteering at Happy Tails, she is taking care of her horses, chasing around her three dogs, and participating in her Camero Club, The Sunday Drivers and various motorcycle groups.
happytailshaven.org
Treasurer
Teshia Larsen
Teshia Larsen is our treasurer. She works as a nurse in the community. In her free time she enjoys hanging out at the rescue or with her dog, Oreo. Her favorite type of horse is an Arabian. Teshia also helps Klara take care of the animals at the rescue.
happytailshaven.org
Board Member and Farrier
Jeremy Voss
Jeremy is our farrier and a board member at large. When he is not trimming the rescue and sanctuary horses, he is taking care of his horses.
happytailshaven.org
Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator
Jan Kaiser
Jan is a retired Registered Nurse who moved back to the Black Hills in October, 2025. She started horseback riding when she turned 50 years old. Ever since then, her passion for horses has grown. Jan loves animals of all kinds and believes all animals need and deserve an active voice to protect them from cruelties that exist in the world today. Horses and dogs are her passion and when she’s not walking or playing with her 2 german shepherds and 1 Jack Russell, she is either at her grandsons’ sporting events or at the rescue, helping with whatever needs to be done. She can usually be found talking to all the horses, dogs, pigs and goats.
happytailshaven.org
Board Member
Katie Copeland
A lifelong passion for horses has always been the common thread in my life, no matter where military moves took my family as a kid I always found a barn to learn from and develop into the horsewoman I am today. Following the loss of my heart horse in 2023 and life as a military spouse making it harder for me to have my own horses again. I’ve found a home away from home at Happy Tails Haven. I’m grateful to spend my free time out at the rescue, giving back to the horses who provide so much healing, and learning who they are individually to help them on their own new journeys.