Connected Horse workshops help seniors with memory loss

Susanne Kaletsch snuggled up to Covergirl, closed her eyes and laid her head on her soft brown nose.

The unconditional bond between man and horse was evident when 81-year-old Kaletsch and six other memory-stricken seniors from Watermark in San Ramon attended Connected Horse’s mini-workshop at Leah Felize’s Five Star Equestrian Center in Pleasanton.

Paula Hertel, who has a master’s degree in social work, and Nancy Schier Anzelmo, who has a master’s degree in gerontology, founded the nonprofit in 2015 while conducting two years of research at Stanford University and UC Davis looking for ways to bring people diagnosed with dementia and their care partners/family members together to conduct equine-assisted learning at local stables.

Research found that their program model would likely help reduce depression and stress, improve sleep, and provide seniors with a greater sense of social support. They launched their first workshops in 2017. To their knowledge, they are the only equine nonprofit working with both seniors and their families in this way.

On a recent weekday, the seniors, with the help of volunteers, washed, brushed and walked the horses around the stables. They were even allowed to hear the horse’s heartbeat, which underscores the open-heart connection between them and the majestic animals.

“It’s about the well-being of the horse, the individual participants and their relationship as they embark on a journey together,” said Hertel.

She has observed how older people develop a strong sense of confidence and connection when interacting with the horses. They often find that their later years are not as they had imagined due to memory loss, but they find comfort in spending time with the animals.

“Horses know how to build relationships. If a participant is open to connecting with them, then the horse wants that connection. They don’t care what title you have, how old you are or what diagnosis you have. They just see that open heart and are there, non-judgmental, loving and patient,” she said.

Hertel said the facilitator’s job is to create a neutral space so they don’t disrupt the interaction between participants and horses. She said sometimes the most important thing is to step back and observe, while knowing that the senior’s emotional memories will remain forever.

“It’s a family challenge, it’s an illness that happens to one person but affects the whole family. We want to help them through that and give them hope. The diagnosis doesn’t have to define who you are, it just becomes a part of it. Your journey can continue and through that can come positivity, growth and connection,” Hertel said.

At the end of the workshop, she discusses a debriefing with the participants and lets them report on their experiences.

“I love horses. What I enjoyed most was just being here. I feel warm, excited and so happy,” said 83-year-old Susan Stevenson.

For 90-year-old former school principal Marion Parker, working with the horses was something completely new. She said she found it interesting to be around them and see how they work. Her daughter, Carla Fields, of Alamo, was initially worried she wouldn’t like it and might want to leave.

“Today there was an unexpected joy, the crew was able to get my mom to get involved and participate,” Fields said.

Josephine Dugoni, Watermark’s Community Life Director, helped the seniors care for the horses and ensured their safety around the large animals.

“Just seeing the smiling faces of my residents made up for everything,” Dugoni said.

Hertel, a long-time rider herself, has observed the nonverbal connection between humans and horses over time through their many uses in transportation, agriculture, sport and even war, and knew that the partnership with the seniors was the right one.

“Our dream is that one day a doctor will write us a prescription and tell us to just go to the stable,” said Hertel.

Connected Horse will host its annual Lassos with Love fundraiser on September 7th from 4:30-8:00 p.m. at Five Star Equestrian in Pleasanton. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.