Matthew Thompson began participating in The Shea Center’s Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program in 2022, after learning about it from his wife, a Shea Center volunteer. During his service in the Iraq war, Matthew experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Joining Shea’s EAP program gave him a new, meaningful way to manage the emotional and mental challenges he faced.
The EAP program focuses on building trust and emotional awareness through groundwork. Clients work with a horse that is specifically chosen for them to help them meet their clinical goals. The client forms a bond with their horse as they work together to face mental health challenges, emotional setbacks, or difficulties communicating. Horses are incredibly perceptive, often acting as a “feedback machine,” reflecting the emotional and physical state of the client they are working with. Matthew explains, “However I’m feeling, the horse responds to that, and with Leeanna’s help [his therapist], I’m able to recognize what’s going on emotionally and work through it.”
“I love participating in EAP,” Matthew shares. “I’m grateful for the tools I’ve learned that help me stay composed.” He recalls a recent experience when the engine of a car he was in exploded. “It was loud and scary, but I stayed calm and talked myself through it.”
Matthew’s therapist, Leeanna Rice, remarks, “I’m extremely proud of Matthew and all he’s accomplished over the past three years. He’s faced some incredibly stressful situations, including the traumatic moment when the car engine exploded—an event that closely resembled a wartime experience. Because of the coping, communication, and emotional regulation skills he’s developed, he was able to manage the crisis, finish his workday, return home to his family, and even get a decent night’s sleep. That kind of resilience is a powerful example of the success he’s found through EAP.”
Since starting the program, Matthew says his sleep has improved, and he feels more at ease. Though anxiety still arises at times, he now feels better equipped to handle it. The Shea Center has become a space where he feels safe and supported.
One of Matthew’s favorite parts of the program is caring for the horses. Grooming is especially calming—for both him and the animals. When he began at Shea, he worked with Sage, then Baxter, and now he works with Razzberry. “Razzberry is my favorite,” he says. “He’s a lot like me—high energy! We’re both learning how to take things a little slower.”
Matthew believes the skills he’s developed through EAP extend far beyond the barn. He feels more comfortable communicating with his wife and their 14-year-old daughter, and he’s proud of the progress he’s made. “I’m truly thankful for Shea and the EAP program,” he says.
For anyone uncertain about trying equine assisted therapy, Matthew offers a simple message: “Give it a try. I’d recommend it to anyone—it’s an amazing program.”
