Horses, Dementia, and the Science of Connection | Paula Hertel & Nancy Schier Anzelmo of Connected Horse, with Kansas Carradine | EAW 56

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of equine-assisted experiences on older adults with dementia, featuring insights from the co-founders of Connected Horse and a HeartMath-certified trainer.

✨ "They come in with a cane and feeling disabled, and then they say, 'Here, take the cane, honey. I'm gonna walk this horse.' We've seen this so many times we can't even number it." – Nancy Schier Anzelmo Description Paula Hertel and Nancy Schier Anzelmo are the co-founders of Connected Horse, a California-based program that brings equine-assisted experiences to older adults living with dementia or memory loss — alongside their care partners. Backed by research conducted with Stanford University and UC Davis, Connected Horse is one of the first programs in the country to specifically serve this population in this way. Kansas Carradine, HeartMath-certified trainer and returning EAW guest, joins to explore the science of heart coherence, entrainment, and why horses may be uniquely suited to reach people that other approaches cannot. Connected Horse's work challenges the assumption that equine-assisted services are only for children or younger adults. Their Stanford and UC Davis pilot studies recorded statistically significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden — with 100% participant return rates at a six-month booster session. Participants regularly go from…

People in this episode

Host: Rupert Isaacson

Guests: Paula Hertel, Nancy Schier Anzelmo, Kansas Carradine

Topics covered

• equine-assisted therapy
• dementia
• heart coherence
• older adults
• mental health
• caregiver support

Keywords

• equine therapy
• dementia care
• mental health
• heart coherence
• older adults
• Connected Horse
• Stanford research

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Connected Horse, Stanford University, UC Davis

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