Psychotherapy with Horses
Our sessions involve an experiential process where participants are invited to learn about themselves through interactions with horses.
Horses are masters at living in the moment, responding to the present experience rather than worrying about the future or reflecting on the past.
Since we don’t tend to leave who we are “at the gate”, interactions with horses provide an opportunity to explore relational dynamics, beliefs, interpretations and responses. We can then choose what is working and what we may strive to let go of.
Our Team
Angela Sherman, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
(PSY 23689)
Dr. Angela Sherman is a licensed clinical psychologist with a long-standing interest in human-animal interactions and incorporating animals into therapeutic work. She has extensive experience working with individuals with emotional and behavioral difficulties and has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, schools, residential treatment and correctional facilities.
Dr. Angela also enjoys offering specialty and wellness workshops that incorporate horses. She and her team have offered an onsite equine workshop at Esalen, an organization exploring alternative health and wellness, whose mission is to cultivate deep personal change and social transformation. Dr. Angela has also co-facilitated the Medicine & Horsemanship class at the Stanford University School of Medicine – a course aimed at teaching medical students, physicians, and nurses about patient care, self-awareness of non-verbal behavior and approach, patient relations and patient satisfaction - all through their interactions with horses.
Dr. Angela is honored to be involved with consultation on research and program evaluation within the field of equine assisted services with the Nerds for Herds.
To learn more about Nerds for Herds Research/Program Evaluation:
Julia Caruana Kope
Equine Professional
Julia is an Eagala trained Equine Specialist and previously served as the San Francisco Bay area Networking Co-coordinator for Eagala. She has a special interest in equine assisted learning programs for college students to aid in adjustment and support during their college experience. Julia graduated with a Psychology major from Sonoma State, where she completed an internship at Change Your Lead. While attending Sonoma State, she also competed on the Equestrian Team. Julia recently completed her Masters of Social Work in May 2024. We are all excited to see what the future holds as she continues her journey of helping people and horses!
Martha Monetti, Psy.D.
Clinical and School Psychologist
(PSY 13985)
Dr. Martha Monetti is a licensed clinical Psychologist, and Certified School Psychologist with extensive experience working with children, families and adults in a variety of settings. She fell in love with horses later in life and now is bringing her passion for them to her professional practice. Dr. Marty also teaches graduate student coursework and has a special interest in incorporating equine experiences into psychology training programs.
Lisa Grace
Equine Professional
Lisa has focused her professional career specializing in equine assisted services and has worked in the field since 2000. She previously served as the San Francisco Bay area Networking coordinator for Eagala. Over the past twenty years, Lisa has worked with programs for foster/adopt agencies, school character building programs, outpatient therapy and youth in residential treatment. She is passionate about helping others with mental health and wellness goals, works at being part of the solution and strives to help bring resources to populations in need.
Caroline Vetter, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
CA license PSY#32615 and OR license #3481
Dr. Caroline Vetter is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in California and Oregon. She completed her doctoral degree at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. She has worked and trained in a variety of settings with diverse clients. Dr. Caroline enjoys working with adults, couples and families and has experience working with those suffering with self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship struggles. Dr. Caroline has always loved being around animals and found that being in their presence, especially horses, helps her to live more in the present moment. She is a lifelong horse person and has been working with and riding horses for over 24 years.
Carol Studer
Equine Professional
Carol grew up in Brattleboro, VT Hometown of Sally Swift author and founder of Centered Riding (teaching classical principles of riding, using body awareness, centering, and imagery). She started with riding lessons focused on Centered riding as a child and also competed in hunt seat equitation and driving and continued to compete in intercollegiate equestrian teams through Colby Sawyer College, where she completed her degree in Psychology. Carol has taught at horse camps, 4-H and Pony Club and achieved an Advanced Instructor certification for PATH, working for several years in the field of adaptive riding as an instructor and program director. Carol continued her training with Centered riding and became certified as a Level 2 Instructor. She enjoys bringing this mind-body awareness and centering skill sets to un-mounted work with clients, and pairing these principles with what horses can teach us about living in the moment. Carol completed her equine specialist certification and has worked with Change Your Lead for over a decade. In her free time, she enjoys caring for her retired school horses who enjoy a well-deserved retirement into their older years!
Erin Nagle
Social Media & Herd Management
Erin is a life-long horsewoman, who has ridden, competed, taught and cared for horses of all disciplines and levels. She has experience in volunteering for a therapeutic riding program in her hometown, which also hosted the equestrian part of the Special Olympics for many years. Her passion for horses has taken her around the globe to learn, work, live and ride alongside so many incredible people and horse rich cultures. Erin loves adventuring with horses, which has led her to experiences such as competing in the Mongolian Derby, working with yearlings New Zealand, galloping horses past the pyramids in Egypt and swimming with them in the red sea. When she is in California, she has been riding and competing in dressage. Erin is an instrumental part of maintaining the health and wellbeing of our herd at Change Your Lead. She is also a graphic designer and manages our social media. Erin shares that even though horses are a part of her everyday life, she is continuously in awe of their softness and intelligence.
Our Horses
Our horses come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. This diversity provides a range of options to match with our clients’ needs. We strive to employ rescue horses and horses who can no longer participate in their previous jobs to give them a safe and healthy environment. We are also very fortunate to work with wonderful horses through our partners at other bay area barns and therapeutic riding programs.
We are thankful for them all!
