This past weekend, Connected Horse was delighted to make its East Coast debut of the Introduction to Facilitator Training program. Horses with Hearts, a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic opportunities for a diverse range of clients and groups, hosted an inspiring two-day hands-on training at their lovely 7-acre barn in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Kay Barkwill, the Co-Founder of Horses with Hearts, and her dedicated equine team regularly work with kids, veterans, and people healing from trauma and assault. By completing this training, Kay aims to expand the Horses with Hearts program to include individuals with memory loss or a dementia diagnosis, along with their care partners. The new program is expected to launch in Spring of 2026.
Connected Horse Co-Founder, Paula Hertel, MSW, led the training, with help from long-time volunteer Lynn Goehner, RN, and Co-Founder Nancy Schier-Anzelmo, MSG (via Zoom). The training brought together a wonderful group of facilitators, volunteers, and future program leaders to explore how equine-guided experiences can support individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Participants discovered the heart of the Connected Horse model — fostering connection and empathy through meaningful interactions with horses.
The weekend featured a variety of experiential learning activities, with the horses playing a central role. Peanut, Obie, Dolly, Barbie, and Chester were instrumental in demonstrating exercises and facilitating learning moments. The training emphasized how to guide interactions without disrupting participants’ authentic experiences. As one horse handler reflected, “I’m learning to practice watching for safety while not interfering with my natural need to engage.”
We’re thrilled to add six new program Facilitators and four Horse Handlers to the Connected Horse team —and to see Horses with Hearts prepare to launch this important program, expanding the reach of equine-assisted engagement to even more families and care partners throughout the East Coast. One participant summed up the weekend beautifully: “I feel excited to be able to offer this amazing program to our community. We have been patient—and now we’re ready.”
”I feel excited to be able to offer this amazing program to our community. We have been patient—and now we’re ready.
