Our Story
Almost 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and one in ten adults aged 65 and older live with dementia. Connected Horse counters the hallmark isolation and depression so often experienced by both those living with the disease and their care partners through research-informed equine programs. Program participants report reduced feelings of anxiety and depression, build confidence, and improve relationships. The workshops with the horses help them feel whole again.
Strengthening
social bonds.
Our research-informed programming with horses as teachers improves the lives of people affected by dementia and their care partners together.
Respect
We honor each individual where they are. Our sense of self remains in us throughout life.
Connection
We strengthen social bonds through engagement, stress reduction, and nonverbal communication and encourage a growth mindset.
Horses
We learn from the horses. They respond to and mirror non-verbal communication and emotions. Through observation and interactions with the horses, who live “in the moment,” participants receive feedback and increase their awareness and connections.
Access
Improving access to social engagement is a core tenant of our program. We have an outreach team to help people get to workshops and to reach those who cannot attend in person with our At-Home programs. We contribute to the growing professional field of therapeutic equine support.
Our Founders
Founders Nancy Schier Anzelmo, MSG, and Paula Hertel, MSW, are lifelong equestrians and experts in aging and elder care. They developed Connected Horse based on their theory that guided interactions with horses could strengthen primary social bonds and activate social engagement for people with dementia and their care partners. In collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Alzheimer’s Disease Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, and Center for Equine Health and at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Red Barn Leadership Program, they assessed the promise of the workshops. Paula and Nancy continue to innovate and expand the beneficial reach of Connected Horse through Connected Horse At-Home programming and the Training Institute.
