Nancy King, MS, OTL

Founder and Director

I have been fortunate enough to combine my lifetime love for horses with my passion for helping people through many of life's challenges. I received my Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2001.

Not long after, I founded A Horse Connection, in the Hudson Valley of New York.  For almost twenty years, A Horse Connection has helped hundreds clients from age 2 to 102 years old. This ground breaking, effective treatment would not be possible without the help of many dedicated volunteers and many incredible horses.

​I think my success in this field is based on a combination of qualities. As an occupational therapist, I have a scientific and medical education with a tool kit filled with strategies to help people with diverse backgrounds and special needs.  I have the experience of a solid horsewoman, who continues to be a student of these magnificent beings. But none of this expertise would be of value to anyone without my natural ability to hear my clients and see what it is that they are truly feeling, experiencing, and what it is that they want to accomplish.

I go beyond the diagnosis, and see each person as an individual, who has their own learning styles. There are no cookie cutter approaches. I am able to tap into people's strengths and help to empower my clients to find their own solutions, I have insight, compassion, patience and humor. I am very flexible and am able to adapt quickly to a variety of situations. I am supportive and provide a safe environment.
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I love to collaborate with all of my clients and am fully engaged in their journey.

Beth Mancini,
​Program Assistant

​I started riding horses when I was 8 years old and I loved working with them on the ground as much as I loved riding them.  After graduating from college, I was working full time and raising my kids, so I wasn’t able to fit riding and horses into my life.  Fast forward thirty years and I have rediscovered the joy of riding and the profound impact horses can have on all our lives. 
 
I recently spent two years as an Animal Attendant at the NC State Equine and Farm Animal Veterinary Center where I learned a great deal about equine health and the most effective way to safely handle such powerful animals.  At NC State I rediscovered my passion for horses and I am now the proud owner of a Quarter Horse and a Miniature Horse.   My daughter and I spend as much time as we can visiting with our horses Calvin and Pumpkin.  We also have two dogs and two reptiles – a red eared slider and a bearded dragon.
 
I am thrilled to join Nancy at A Horse Connection.  This opportunity enables me to combine my love for horses with my desire to help children and young adults with special needs.  There is no limit to what horses can do to help individuals overcome psychological and physical challenges.

Anna Brockenbrough, COTA

​I feel so fortunate to join the team at A Horse Connection. Working with kids and horses in the outdoors is a dream come true! I feel passionately that simply being in the presence of animals and nature can have a profound affect on healing. So it inspires me to be able to apply my educational training in this setting to help kids achieve their goals.

​Before beginning my OT journey, I spent time volunteering with a local therapeutic riding program and witnessed the transformations that took place with each rider. Not only were the riders getting a tremendous amount of input, both motor and sensory wise, but they were also benefitting socially through bonding with the horses, other riders, and the instructors. It was quite remarkable. Little did I know that my experience there would pave the way for my future career as a therapist.

As a certified occupational therapy assistant, I view each session analytically but also through the lens of being a parent. I understand that parents and caregivers want to see their child succeed and have every opportunity available. This appreciation drives me to truly understand each client's motivation for therapy and helps me individualize sessions to deliver the best outcomes.