In equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) clients work on improving their quality of life by working towards a variety of goals. These could include improving communication skills, setting and maintaining boundaries at work or school, learning healthy coping skills to help manage anxiety, increasing awareness of mood changes, and challenging unhealthy thoughts and behavioral patterns.  

Ten-year-old Charlotte has attended The Shea Center Summer Horse Camp for several years and has been an EAP program client for the past seven months.

Charlotte reports that coming to Shea and working in the EAP program has “helped me grow so much,” and she truly looks forward to coming each week because it’s “super fun!” She continues to state that she enjoys working with multiple horses; Dolly and Murray are her two favorites. She describes her time here as “fantastic,” and she loves how many people are helped by coming here.

Charlotte’s mother, Cara, reflects on the impact the EAP program has had on her daughter, particularly with grief processing after losing significant family members. Cara says that since coming to Shea, Charlotte has been better able to articulate her emotions and is “developing a strong sense of empathy, security, and support from bonding and connecting with the amazing Shea horses and staff.”

Charlotte’s therapist, Leeanna Rice, agrees and comments, “Charlotte came into Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to learn about emotion regulation and how to express her emotions effectively. Charlotte has made tremendous progress while working with Murray and has learned appropriate methods of expressing herself. Charlotte can now identify, challenge, and appropriately display her emotions at home, school, and in extra-curricular activities.”