Who We Are

Colleagues who share an enthusiasm for science, mental health, behavior, horses (and other animals that humans interact with), data, discovery, education and learning.

We have significant collective experience in both the field or Equine Assisted Services (EAS) as well as research in academia. Together, our goal is to help others with goals of elevating scientific study and work in the field.

SERVICES WE OFFER

Consultancy for Programs

  • How do I know if my program is effective?

  • How do I know if clients are benefitting from my animal assisted therapy program?

  • What outcome measures can I use to evaluate my program?

Consultancy for Individuals

  • Where do I even begin when it comes to collecting data?

  • What can a small program like mine do to contribute to the evidence-base?

  • I would like to apply for grants and I'm not sure how to make my grant submission competitive.

  • How do we describe, scientifically, what we do in this unique field?

Anastasia Georgiades, Ph.D.

Anastasia Georgiades, PhD, is a research psychologist dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice in animal-assisted services. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Uppsala University in Sweden and completed her postdoctoral training at Duke University in North Carolina, where she remained on the faculty for more than 20 years. Her academic work focused on how psychological stress influences health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Anastasia is also a lifelong equestrian. In 2016, she became certified in psychotherapy and learning that incorporates horses, bringing together her scientific background and her passion for working alongside animals. Since then, she has been actively involved in advancing the evidence base for equine-assisted and animal-assisted services—presenting at national and international conferences and serving on the research committee of a global equine organization.

At Nerds for Herds, Anastasia brings expertise in psychophysiology, research design, data management, and statistics, along with extensive experience developing and managing NIH-funded research projects. She works with programs to translate meaningful work in the arena into clear, credible outcomes—helping individual organizations strengthen their impact while contributing to the growth of rigorous, large-scale research across the field of animal-assisted services.

Angela

Sherman, Ph.D

As a life long animal lover, Angela began working in Equine Assisted Services(EAS)  in 1998. After spending time volunteering, then working in horse care and volunteer coordinator positions, she obtained a teaching certification under PATH (called NARHA at the time) focused on adaptive riding for students with varying developmental and clinical needs. After completing her doctorate in clinical psychology, she continued equine work and completed certification/trainings with Eagala, Arenas for Change (ARCH) and Natural Lifemanship. She started her practice, Change Your Lead, in 2011 and incorporates horses into psychotherapy with individuals, treatment center groups, wellness and educational offerings. She served on Eagala's research committee for several years, and later as the Research director, helping members find supportive resources for their programs.

As a horse owner, she has also continued her ongoing education and lived experience in equine welfare and management as well as understanding of equine behavior with a focus on how horses are integrated into the therapy process in an ethical manner.

At Nerds for Herds, she enjoys continuing to assist programs on the ground finding the research and support that is helpful for their outreach and stakeholders.