OUR TEAM LEADERS
Shawna Stencil
Founder & Executive Director
Shawna is a mother of 4 boys, with her youngest having Down syndrome inspiring DOTF to come to life in 2010. Shawna quickly learned of the organic connection between animals and those with special needs and wanted to create a sanctuary where the two could be combined in a natural farm setting. DOTF has been rescuing animals for over 15 years and running programs, camps, field trips, hosting families and events of all sorts as well. Shawna is also an owner of Castalia Farms, a realtor, event coordinator as well as an Independent provider through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. She has a heart for those with disabilities, children, animals, nature, family and Jesus.
Michelle Bock
Farm and Nature Program Director and Partner
Michelle is a native of Erie County and committed to her amazing family, husband, daughter, and son. Her studies in Sociology and Theatre and the coastal community she grew up in, evolved her love for society wellness through caring for the natural world, certified in Environment Education in 2013. She was blessed in assisting in the development and operation of the education program at the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. She has 15 years of education in a variety of educational environments such as local public schools, EHOVE Child Development Center, Firelands Montessori Academy and Community Action Commission Sandusky Head Start Preschool. She aspires to help grow this historical homestead hub to be a haven for supporting outdoor learning experiences for families, educators, community and environmental needs, and enriching sustainable futures for all.