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 University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Alzheimer’s Disease Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Equine Health, and 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 programing and the Training Institute.