Meet The Team
Founder & president
Kaitlyn Castillo
I'm the founder of Peaceful Pastures, a mom of five who homeschools and seeks to follow Jesus in all things.
Through prayer, obedience, and faith, Peaceful Pastures was born as a ministry to serve God by caring for His animals and the people He places along the way. Horses and cows are close to my heart, and whether at the barn or on our homestead with our cattle and children and chickens, my mission is to steward His creation with love, humility, and purpose.
Vice President
Dan kuskowski
My name is Dan, Vice President of Peaceful Pastures. I've spent 55 years playing in a party band and over 33 years involved in Michigan soccer, including scheduling high school soccer for Macomb County. I own Paramount Solutions Inc. and am active in the music program at St.
Kieran's Catholic Church. I grew up in Warren with four brothers. Most importantly, I'm a husband, dad, and proud Dziadzi to three grandchildren
-and thanks to my wife's love for horses, you'll usually find me at the barn.
Tresurer
Kate Skinner
Kate is the Treasurer of Peaceful Pastures, bringing both financial expertise and a lifelong love of horses to the organization.
She holds an MBA and is a small-business owner with extensive experience managing budgets, operations, and responsible stewardship of resources. Riding since the age of six, Kate has trained in classical dressage since 2008 and is the owner of multiple Lipizzan horses, with a strong passion for horse welfare, education, and healing through hippotherapy. She is also a devoted caregiver to her mother, who is living with dementia-an experience that has deepened her compassion, patience, and commitment to service. Kate believes in leading with kindness and is honored to support Peaceful Pastures' mission of providing safe, loving futures for horses in need.
Secretary
Karen Dykhouse
Karen brings over 20 years of Corporate America experience leading large-scale operations and teams. With a strong sense of responsibility and passion for service, she joins the Peaceful Pastures board energized to help advance the mission. Karen holds a Finance degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. When she's not at the barn (thanks to her horse-loving daughter), she enjoys soccer, ice hockey, and time with friends, family, and her rescue dog,
Hayden.
Board Member
Linda Kuskowski
Linda has been married for 48 years and is a proud mom to two sons and Oma to three beautiful grandchildren. With a lifelong passion for horses, she felt called to do more than ride-she wanted to help horses in need. That calling led her to Kaitlyn and Peaceful Pastures, where she became one of the original volunteers.
From preparing stalls for the very first arrivals to greeting each horse with love (and always treats), Linda treasures her time at the barn. Working alongside likeminded volunteers has created a true family, and she is deeply passionate about Peaceful Pastures' mission to provide a safe, peaceful, and loving home for rescued horses. An added bonus is
Linda always has treats.
Board Member
Anthony Castillo
My name is Anthony, husband to the founder of Peaceful Pastures, a dad of five, homesteader, and HVAC professional. I'm an avid outdoorsman and a follower of Jesus, guided by faith in all I do. l've always been an advocate for animals, but my involvement with horses truly grew through my daughter's eyes-her passion for horses at just six years old opened my eyes in a new way. I'm proud to support my wife and stand beside her in the calling God placed on her heart, helping Peaceful Pastures grow as a place of compassion, stewardship, and faith..
Board Member
Laura Norman
Laura-grew up in a horse family and spent many years involved in 4-H.
After reading a news article about Peaceful Pastures, I felt immediately called to help. Visiting the barn and learning each horse's story confirmed that this was where I belonged. I'm grateful to be part of an organization dedicated to saving horses from the most desperate situations and giving them the lives they deserve, and thankful to Kaitlyn, the volunteers, and my sister for leading me here.
Board Member
Dawn Townsend
Dawn is a mother of three with a bachelor's degree in psychology, bringing a strong behavioral science background to animal welfare. She has extensive experience in animal training and rescue through the Michigan Humane Society and K.A.R.E. Parrot Rescue, where she also served as Marketing Director.
Dawn currently teaches at the Detroit Zoo and is a devoted foster and adoptive caregiver, focused on enrichment, training, and compassionate care. Volunteering at Peaceful Pastures allows her to work with her favorite animal while being part of a faith-based, family-centered community she deeply values.
Board Member
Jenny Lebelt
I'm Jenny-mom of five and Mimi to one very special grandbaby who means the world to me. I grew up in a horse 4-H club and rode English while in college, and my love for horses has never faded. Now that my kids are grown, Peaceful Pastures has given me the chance to return to what I love most-being with horses and supporting a rescue that truly puts their well-being first.