6When a loved one is living with dementia, meaningful moments of connection can become increasingly difficult to find. Connected Horse™ is changing that reality through innovative equine-guided memory support programs that use the unique bond between humans and horses to foster engagement, reduce isolation, and strengthen relationships between individuals living with memory loss and their care partners.
A Different Approach to Dementia Support
Connected Horse™ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by dementia through equine-assisted experiences and sensory engagement programs. Its mission centers on creating opportunities for connection, awareness, and emotional well-being for both people living with dementia and those who care for them.
What makes Connected Horse™ unique is its focus on the powerful, nonverbal relationship between humans and horses. Participants engage in guided, ground-based activities with horses, allowing them to experience moments of calm, confidence, and connection without the need for riding or prior horse experience.
Research-Driven Innovation
Connected Horse's programming is grounded in scientific research conducted in partnership with Stanford University and the University of California, Davis. Research findings demonstrated positive outcomes for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners, including increased social support, greater awareness, improved relationship quality, and enhanced feelings of appreciation and connection.
The program's curriculum focuses on three core areas:
- Building relationships
- Developing self-compassion and awareness
- Encouraging leisure and community engagement
These evidence-based principles help participants stay present in the moment while strengthening bonds with loved ones and their broader communities.
The Power of the Human-Horse Connection
Horses are remarkably perceptive animals that respond to human emotions and behaviors. Because they communicate primarily through body language and energy, they offer a unique opportunity for people living with dementia to engage in meaningful interactions that do not rely solely on words.
Through activities such as observing, grooming, and leading horses, participants often experience a greater sense of confidence, awareness, and social connection. Many report feeling more relaxed and engaged, while care partners gain valuable opportunities to share positive experiences with their loved ones outside the typical caregiving environment.
Creating Hope and Connection
Dementia often impacts entire families, not just the individual receiving a diagnosis. Connected Horse™ addresses this reality by supporting both the person living with memory loss and their care partner as a team. By focusing on shared experiences, emotional well-being, and the present moment, the program helps participants rediscover joy, connection, and mutual understanding.
As communities continue searching for innovative, person-centered approaches to dementia care, Connected Horse stands out as a powerful example of how the human-animal bond can create meaningful change. Through research-backed programming and compassionate support, the organization is demonstrating that connection remains possible at every stage of the dementia journey.
Connected Horse Upcoming Workshop Dates
Workshop 1: September 22, 29, October 6
Workshop 2: October 13, 20, 27
Workshop 3: November 3, 10, 17
9:30 am to 11:30 am.
Participants must be able to attend all 3 sessions.
Eligibility
- Participant who has MCI or early stages of dementia
- Has a caregiver (family, close friend, or long term paid caregivers)
- Can walk on uneven surfaces for short periods of time
- No wheelchairs or walkers
About Connected Horse™
- Participants are paired with a trained facilitator.
- No horse experience necessary.
- We engage with our gentle horses on the ground, no riding.
- Each horse will have a handler to ensure safety.
- There is no fee to participate.
- Workshops take place in Calistoga.
Registration & Information
Please contact Melissa Gerard at 707-815-6258 or
melissa.gerard@providence.org