Equines

Roury

Birthday: April 11th, 2016
Roury, previously known as Alaskan Aroura was adopted from Days End Horse Rescue in August of 2024. Roury is the smallest in the herd and is a mini horse.  She knows her role as part of the team to help kids learn & grow. She is part of our mobile team that goes to schools, libraries and parks for our Reading with Roury Program. 
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Eliza 

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Eliza is the oldest in the herd. She is a Chestnut Thoroughbred/Hanovarian mare.  She is a retired DC park patrol horse adopted in December of 2023. We believe she was born in 2001. 

Eliza is loves peppermints and is Ricky Bobby (the donkey's) very best friend. She is very easy going and is amazing with the kids.


Gotcha Day December 17th, 2022 

Goose

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Goose is the newest addition to our herd. He was adopted in February of 2025 from February Star Sanctuary. He is a Dun Quarter Horse gelding. A fun fact is that Goose used to be a barrel racing horse. He loves all sorts of treats and loves to cause mischief by sneaking into the tack room during feed time. He is a love and 


Birth year 2018 

Shadow

Birthday: May 6th, 2008
Shadow is a Bay Quarter Horse mare. She is the horse of founder, Beth's daughter McKenna. Shadow was the first horse to join the Cangemi herd in 2022. Shadow has been an amazing riding partner for McKenna but truly shines in this work. She has  a very gentle and calming presence who reads the kids and teens she works and shows up for them in beautiful ways. 

Ricky Bobby

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Where do we even begin with this sweet and loveable gelding. Ricky is a standard donkey. His favorite treats is Cheerios and he LOVES to give hugs. Ricky can often be seen right along Eliza, driving Goose crazy or taking something that he shouldn't have. He was adopted from Peaceful Valley Donkey rescue in May of 2024 and was born in 2020. 

Pferdie (forever in our hearts)

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  Although Pferdie was never officially part of Hearts of the Herd, she is the reason behind how this beautiful program came to be. Pferdie (which is German for horsey) was adopted  by the Cangemi family in April of 2022 as a companion for Shadow. A girl's childhood dream finally came true for Beth. Pferdie was the sweetest, gentlest soul and the two enjoyed their easy trail rides together along with McKenna and Shadow. Her sudden and unexpected passing in October of 2022 broke Beth's heart, but it was her passing that led Beth to the book Project Soloman and how Hearts of the Herd came to be. She may no longer be with us in the pasture but she is forever in our hearts. 
Felines 

Elvis

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Elvis is the King of the barn! He was adopted in 2022 not soon after the horses because every barn needs a few good barn cats. Elvis spends his days climbing on the roof of the barn, napping under the wheelbarrow or his favorite rock along the wood line. He loves attention (most of the time)

Okie

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Okie joined this crew in the spring of 2025. He loves to adventure around the neighborhood and the woods and can often be seen in the pasture chasing and pouncing after crickets and butterflies.