Hearts of the Herd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 2023 to provide Equine Assisted Services for children and adolescents in the Frederick County Maryland area.  It all began with a book and an email.  After reading the book Project Solomon, about an Equine Assisted Service program in Michigan, founder Beth Cangemi reached out to the author to find out more; knowing first hand the benefits this type of programming could have for the students she supported in her teaching role.  This led her down an unbelievable path that connected her to so many amazing program directors around the country providing these services.  Seeing the positive impacts the various programs across the country and world are making and knowing the needs of our children and teens in our area, it soon became a mission to create a program like this here in Frederick, Maryland. ​

Meanwhile, Caitlyn Reed was on her own path as a mental health provider learning about how she could apply equine assisted learning/therapy into her practice.  Caitlyn was busy doing her research and making her own connections.  The two women connected and decided to combine their love for horses and teaching/counseling to help foster an environment and experience to empower individuals to become their best selves through the incorporation of equines.  With the incredible support of family, friends, others in the field, and a supportive board, Hearts of the Herd is now a reality. 

​Our team is eager to share with others the powerful hearts of our herd.