Earlier this year, The Shea Center partnered with Irvine Valley College to produce a specialized program for student veterans.
This unique program was designed to improve quality of life, communication techniques, and self-awareness through Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) activities. EAL can be described as an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for educational, personal, or professional goals through equine assisted activities, including groundwork, leading, and work at liberty. Participants are exposed to activities that can help promote critical life skills such as problem-solving, self-awareness, and enhanced communications.
Goals were created in collaboration with Irvine Valley College (IVC) staff and included topics such as decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills. Additional areas of focus included self-awareness, empathy for self and others, and coping with emotions and stress. Personal, engaging, and interactive equine activities were focused on life skills and enhanced relationship skills.
Through grooming, riding, and obstacle courses, student veterans build confidence, adaptability, and connection. Many participants leave with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
This is more than just learning about horses. It is about rebuilding trust, honest communication, and vulnerability. These same abilities are vital for everyday life skills such as making new friends, building relationships, or simply feeling comfortable being seen again.
This unique program has become a powerful bridge for veterans navigating the shift from military culture to civilian life. By engaging in equine-based experiential learning, participants practice adaptability, communication, and emotional regulation in a real-time, hands-on environment. Each activity reinforces the importance of reading situations carefully, adjusting to unfamiliar dynamics, and responding with emotional intelligence – skills that directly translate to higher education, workplace settings, and daily life. Veterans often discover that the same instincts that helped them succeed in uniform can be reshaped for their next mission, giving them renewed confidence and purpose as they enter a new environment.
Through pre and post assessments, data was collected to inform participants and organizations of the major growth and goal achievements that were made through this six-week program.
The information shown below reflects the assessment results prior to the start of the program.
The information shown below reflects the assessment results at the conclusion of the 6-week program.
Special thanks to Roger and Helen Abramson for your generous support of this program for 2025. With the increased demand for our services, our greatest need is financial support to grow our vitally important programs, including this one. To help The Shea Center programs grow, consider donating at SheaCenter.org/donate.
