Kyle and his wife, Kim, have been Shea Center clients for a year and a half.  Kyle spent 23 years in the military, with two combat tours and two traumatic brain injuries, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.  When he returned from combat, Kyle was not the same dedicated, loving family man he’d been before.  Even after years of traditional therapy, Kyle says he continued to push his wife and children away, was unable to be empathetic, experienced memory loss, and was more comfortable isolating from his family.  His marriage was at the breaking point.

In 2020, Kyle and Kim learned about the military couples equine therapy program at The Shea Center through Shea’s partnership with South Orange County Vet Center.  As a result of the OCVA program, they participated in a limited Equine Assisted Learning pilot program at the Center and benefitted from services integrating horses.  Kim says, “From the first time we worked with the horses, there was an instant connection that transferred from horse to rider to our marriage.”  Kyle explains that riding and working with the horses was the calming factor that helped stabilize his emotions, particularly anger.

Equine assisted learning has helped with the Norris’s communication, vulnerability and coping strategies. Kim remarks, “Not only is my husband a changed man, but I have changed as well.  It’s not just therapy that’s happening, it’s healing!” And Kyle comments, “I feel so fortunate for the opportunities that Shea has provided; I can’t thank them and the horses enough.”