Get to know our team of therapists, employees, board members, and Animal Healers that are instrumental to our success.
Meet The Team
Renee Bouffard, LCSW
Founder, Executive Director
Renee founded Healing Hoofbeats in 2016 and continues to steer the vision of this practice as Executive Director. Renee has been working in the field of social work for over a decade in residential settings and community mental health. Renee specializes in complex and single incident trauma, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder with individuals of all ages.
Liz Carlucci, LCSW
Liz graduated from Fordham University with a Master of Social Work. She holds a Post-Master’s Certification from the University of Denver as an Equine Assisted Mental Health Practitioner; and as an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider. For nearly three decades she has worked in various roles for children and families in Connecticut. Liz specializes in supporting individuals whose lives are impacted by Anxiety, Depression, trauma, ADD/ADHD and neurodiversity.
Nikki Hedden, LMSW
Nikki earned her Master's degree from the University of New Hampshire. She has worked in community mental health in various roles for five years and has a passion for working with adolescents and young adults. Nikki specializes in Anxiety Disorders, ADHD/ADD, Family Needs and Trauma. As a lifelong woman in agriculture, she brings her understanding of animal psychology and love for nature-based models of therapy to the practice.
Rebecca Caruso, LCSW
Rebecca received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and hasprovided mental health care in residential, hospital and community settings. She has been providingEquine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy for the past ten years. Rebecca specializes in utilizing theprinciples of mindfulness and the healing power of healthy relationships to work with individuals andgroup of all ages on anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, relationship conflict/disruption and trauma.
Janice Cashell
Director of Development
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Janice was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she attended and graduated from Pine Crest Preparatory School followed by completing a BA in Theater, Speech and English along with an MFA in Theater Arts at Florida State University. Following graduation, Janice extended her studies in Florence, Italy while teaching and acting in some of Europe's most revered theaters.
A year later, Janice returned to New York City to pursue her career in professional theater, working as an actress and director at theaters throughout the country and New York. At this time, she also established a resident professional theater in Boston, MA where she produced many productions at the Boston Center for the Arts and a full subscription season at Boston's Schubert Theater.
Janice has an extensive career in theater as well as within development for nonprofits. After relocating to Connecticut, Janice extended her business development career by consulting with City Trust Bank of CT, the corporate offices of Prudential Connecticut Realty, and The New England Prayer Center of CT.
Motivated by her love for the animal world, Janice founded and served as president of Animals for Life, a CT based animal rescue and welfare organization, which over its first 14-years of operation rescued over 8,000 companion animals, successfully adopting them into their forever homes.
Janice has been a competitive swimmer, lifeguard, swimming instructor and scuba diver. She is an avid wildlife photographer, and has bred and trained morgan horses for more than 40 years. She loves experiencing the people, cultures and natural beauty found in traveling throughout the world.
Roxanne Bliss, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C
Roxanne holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Gonzaga University. Roxanne has specialized in Emergency and Urgent Care, Cardiology, Women's Health, and Mental Health. Throughout her career, she has pioneered significant healthcare initiatives including establishing the Hyperbaric Unit and Wound Care Center at Deaconess Medical Center and setting up the Microsoft Urgent Care Center in Redmond, WA. Her nursing
philosophy centers on the transformative power of building bonds with horses to heal the mind,
body, and spirit. She aims to foster trust and provide compassionate, patient-centered care. Her professional and community involvement includes roles as an Independent Natural
Horsemanship Instructor at Vininghill Equestrian Center, Board Member of the Copper Tree
Homeowner Association, contributor to ADHD Solutions and Counseling, and participant in
Domestic Violence Advocate and Volunteer Training. Roxanne has also organized educational booths for the Be Heart Smart Annual Women’s Seminar and served on the board of the Inland Empire Quarter Horse Association. Roxanne enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as her Quarter Horse Travis and English Bulldog Chester. She is committed to improving the lives of her patients and community through dedicated service and holistic healthcare practices.
Kayla Defeo, LPC-A
Kayla received her master’s degree in counseling from Post University. She has provided mental health care in residential, outpatient, and community settings in various roles for adolescents and adults for seven years. Kayla specializes in Anxiety Disorders, ADHD/ADD, and Family Needs. In addition, she has experience working with individuals experiencing symptoms related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Trauma, Substance Use and children/adolescents with behavioral challenges. She is excited to join Healing Hoofbeats in fall of 2024 as our newest Licensed Clinican.
Ashley Kenney
Marketing Manager
Ashley Kenney has worked in the equine and agricultural industries as a horse trainer, riding instructor, farmer, and operations manager. With nearly 20 years in these fields she formed a consulting firm to further her passion of helping mission-aligned not for profits meet their fundraising goals, help with marketing, create strategic plans, and grow.
Our Executive Board
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible Executive Board for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Their leadership, vision, and commitment to our mission are the driving forces behind everything we accomplish. We are truly grateful for the time, energy, and passion you bring to our organization, ensuring its success and growth.
Lori Angelo
President
Lori has been Director of Sales for New England Payroll for 21 years with extensive experience in Executive Management operations and sales. Lori has been able to grow the payroll company from its inception and fulfilling growth potentials laid out by the business owners. She specializes in Customer Service and strong technological innovation, we have been able to meet the goals every consecutive year.
Lori's interests include swimming, hiking, animal welfare and non-profits. She credits her strengths as being centered around communications, cooperation, and synergy.
Paul Laedke
Vice President
Paul Laedke has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. After nearly two decades in the classroom, Paul has transitioned to a school counseling position at Nonnewaug High School. He is also a youth clinician at Danbury Youth Services while pursuing additional credentials in the field of counseling. Paul earned an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education/History and a M.S. in counseling from Western Connecticut State University. Paul served in the Army National Guard for 9 years where he developed a strong passion for service. He is the co-founder of local, veteran-owned 501(c)(3) 2NDGO that facilitates physical activities for area veterans and first responders.
Paul is very passionate about serving others and looks forward to moving the mission of Healing Hoofbeats of Connecticut further.
Nicole Bouffard
Treasurer
Nicole has been with Ameriprise Financial for over two decades as a financial advisor and holds a business degree from Sacred Heart University. Nicole grew up around horses and is passionate about the importance of mental health for Veterans and fellow humans. Nicole has been serving on the Board since Healing Hoofbeat's inception and continues to bring her heart and expertise to our growth.
John Freiheit
Secretary
John has 15 years of experience working as an accountant and is currently a tax executive at a Fortune 500 company. John holds an undergraduate degree in
Finance and an MBA from UConn, as well as a master’s in taxation from
Northeastern University. John served in the Marine Corps, including two combat deployments to Iraq. This led him to seek out opportunities to serve Veterans, which led him to our Board in 2021.
Cate Rusnak-Craig
Key Member
Cate is an Attorney at Reed, Wilson, Case, LLC. She specializes in estate planning, probate, Title XIX/ Elder Law, Medicaid and asset/wealth protection. Cate has always had a passion for mental health awareness and the welfare of animals. She is excited to serve on the Board of Directors for Healing Hoofbeats as a way to help those that have experienced trauma find a way to work through their experiences to live happier, healthier, more peaceful lives.
Sarah Colonese
Honorary Member
Sarah works for CVS Health (formerly Aetna) and has almost 16 years experience in the healthcare industry. After many years on the finance side of the organization, she took her current Strategy and Sales Effectiveness role supporting the President of the Northeast Region and his sales teams. She supports external business partner relationships, continued market growth, and sales training initiatives.
A Connecticut native, Sarah grew up in Kent and now lives in West Hartford with her husband, John, and eight-year-old daughter, Ellie. No stranger to the equestrian world, Sarah and Ellie currently both ride at Folly Farm in Simsbury. Health and wellness have always been a passion, and she feels strongly about the accessibility to mental health (and overall health) care and women’s health. In her spare time, Sarah acts as PTO President for a West Hartford Public School, coaches West Hartford Girls Softball.
Animals are the perfect partner for therapy. They utilize their keen sensitivity to non-verbal communication to assist us in developing new relationship skills, regulating emotions and beginning the healing process.
Our Animal Healers
Animals are the perfect partner for therapy. They utilize their keen sensitivity to non-verbal communication to assist us in developing new relationship skills, regulating emotions and beginning the healing process.
Animal Healers​
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Animals are the perfect partner for therapy. They utilize their keen sensitivity to non-verbal communication to assist us in developing new relationship skills, regulating emotions and beginning the healing process.
