Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Hallie Sheade.
Hi Dr. Sheade, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey with horses and equine-assisted therapy began at a young age. I first started riding horses when I was just 5 years old, and it quickly became a profound passion in my life. Even as a child, I was drawn to horses with unique challenges, and one horse, in particular, left a lasting impact on me – a lesson horse named Cowman. Our bond was something special, and I witnessed firsthand how the connection we formed helped both of us overcome various obstacles. It was during these formative years that I realized the incredible potential of the human-horse bond to facilitate healing and growth.
Driven by this early experience and a desire to better understand animal behavior, I embarked on a journey of education and personal growth. I pursued an MS in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University and later earned a Ph.D. in Counseling from the University of North Texas, specializing in equine-assisted counseling.
My professional journey officially really took off with the establishment of a private practice known as Equine Connection Counseling. In this setting, I combined my background in counseling with my passion for horses to provide therapy services that harnessed the therapeutic power of these magnificent animals. Witnessing the positive transformations in my clients solidified my commitment to this approach and motivated me to expand my reach.
To reach more individuals, especially those who were most in need of mental health services, I co-founded the nonprofit organization STEPS With Horses. This marked a significant turning point in my career, as I could now offer equine-assisted mental health services to a broader community. My dedication to this cause has led me to obtain several licenses and certifications, including becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), and a PATH International Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning.
Today, I proudly lead a highly skilled team at STEPS With Horses in Fort Worth, Texas, where we specialize in providing equine-assisted mental health services. Our mission is to empower individuals to heal and grow through the unique and transformative experiences our programs offer.
Beyond my work at STEPS With Horses, I have also contributed to the field as a published author, Psychology Editor for PATH Intl.’s Strides and serve in leadership and service roles with organizations such as PATH Intl. and the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. These opportunities allow me to continue advocating for the benefits of equine-assisted therapy and research the profound impact it has on individuals’ lives.
In summary, my journey from a childhood passion for horses, particularly my bond with Cowman, to helping others experience the same through equine-assisted mental health services has been a fulfilling and transformative one. I remain dedicated to leveraging the power of the human-equine connection to help individuals find healing, hope, and growth in their lives.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been incredibly rewarding, but it hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the ongoing challenges we’ve faced at STEPS With Horses is the constant imbalance between the demand for our services and the available funding through grants and donations. We are committed to helping as many individuals in need as possible in our community, but the demand often surpasses our financial resources. This has meant that we are continually seeking additional grants and donations to cover the cost of our services for those who require them most.
Another hurdle we’ve encountered is the fluctuating and often increasing costs of hay and grain, which are essential for the well-being of our therapy equines. Providing high-quality care for our equine partners is non-negotiable, but the financial burden can vary due to these unpredictable costs. As a result, we rely heavily on the generosity of donors and supporters to ensure that our herd receives the best care possible.
In our efforts to make a more significant impact, we are continually working to build our capacity. This involves expanding our team of dedicated staff, interns, and skilled volunteers who share our passion for equine-assisted counseling. This growth is essential to meet the growing demand for our services and to maintain the high standard of care and therapy we provide.
Despite these challenges, our commitment to our mission remains unwavering. We are constantly seeking innovative solutions, forging new partnerships, and exploring opportunities to secure the resources needed to continue our work. While the road may have its share of obstacles, the transformative impact we witness in the lives of those we serve keeps us motivated to overcome any challenges that come our way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about STEPS With Horses, a 501c3 nonprofit?
At STEPS With Horses, we stand apart from other equine-assisted services organizations through our exclusive focus on mental health services and our commitment to providing innovative and evidence-informed equine-assisted counseling to individuals seeking emotional healing and growth. Led by industry expert Dr. Hallie Sheade, our team has provided over 10,000 hours of equine-assisted counseling and is dedicated to empowering clients to lead fulfilling lives.
Mental Health Services as Our Core Focus: Unlike many other equine therapy organizations, mental health services are at the heart of everything we do. Our primary goal is to support individuals on their journey toward mental well-being, using the powerful bond between humans and horses to facilitate the healing process. Our licensed mental health professionals undergo specialized training to effectively integrate human-equine interaction with evidence-based counseling techniques, addressing a wide range of mental health challenges.
Innovative Step-Down Model: We believe in the power of continuity of care. Our innovative step-down approach, the Spectrum of Therapeutic Equine-Partnered Services (“STEPS”) Model, allows clients to transition seamlessly from clinical services, such as equine-assisted counseling, to nonclinical services like therapeutic horsemanship. This progression allows clients to continue their connection with horses and build on the skills they have developed during counseling, creating a seamless path for continued growth. We also recognize the importance of ongoing support in the healing journey. Clients who transition to our nonclinical services are encouraged to participate in regular check-ins with their counselor. These check-ins provide a sense of security and a space to discuss progress, challenges, and successes, tailoring the support provided to individual needs. Our team of trained equine professionals actively monitor clients during their participation in therapeutic horsemanship, ensuring the best possible outcome for our clients.
Evidence-Informed Equine-Assisted Counseling: We take pride in our equine-assisted counseling approaches, Relational Equine-Partnered Counseling (REPC), and Equine-Partnered Play Therapy (EPPT). Both approaches are grounded in best practices from the fields of counseling, psychotherapy, animal-assisted therapy, and equine behavior and welfare. Our commitment to evidence-informed practices ensures that clients receive the most effective and compassionate care possible, fostering lasting positive changes in their lives.
High Improvement Rates, Lasting Impact: Our equine-assisted mental health services deliver exceptional results. Over the past two years, 86% of military veterans and 77% of military youth in our grant-funded programs have shown significant improvement in at least one area of their emotional well-being. Compared to other approaches, our improvement rates surpass children in office-based play therapy. Notably, our dropout rates are much lower than gold standard treatments offered by the VA.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The Gift of Therapy (Victor Yalom), Why Therapy Works (Louis Cozolino), Equitation Science (Paul McGreevy, Janne Winther Christensen, Uta König von Borstel, Andrew McLean), Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling (Cynthia Chandler)
Pricing:
- Equine Assisted Counseling Session: $85-150 (cost varies depending on assigned counselor’s level of experience)
- Equine Assisted Counseling (Texas Veterans+Family Alliance Grant/United Way Mission United Grant): Free (available to military veterans and family members)
- Equine Assisted Counseling (United Way Safety Net Grant): Free (available to Tarrant County residents with financial hardship and identifying as members of minority racial or ethnic groups)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stepswithhorses.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepswithhorses
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stepswithhorses
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/s-t-e-p-s-with-horses
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsal_0sls0U9otwo_j8EtAw
Image Credits
Elliot Mayén
