Meet Sean. His experiences spanned 20 years in the Marine Corps, from combat in Afghanistan to teaching at the US Naval Academy and managerial roles in auditing. After leaving the service, he faced challenges with processing his emotions and struggled to develop coping mechanisms. Through transformative work through The Shea Center’s military program, Sean found a path to healing and endorses the program as “powerful and effective”.
The Shea Center’s military program offerings continue to experience exponential growth, supporting veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families.
Understanding the Program:
The Shea Center’s military programs focus on equine activities that support emotional awareness, self-regulation, confidence, trust, communication, and finding purpose and identity.
Participants learn horsemanship skills both on the ground and mounted. Ground work may include the basic concepts of join up, learning to groom, tack and lead their horses, and stall safety. Mounted work may include basic riding concepts learned through drill teams, obstacle courses, and pair work.
Sean’s Transformative Journey:
Sean states that, “Leading up to the program at Shea, I was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I was eager to learn more about horses and their therapeutic benefits, but I also had some apprehension about being around such large animals. However, the staff at Shea was incredibly welcoming and supportive, and they quickly put me at ease.”
The nonjudgmental environment fostered by these gentle animals allowed Sean to explore his emotions and develop coping skills in a safe and encouraging environment. As he built a connection with the horses, the program helped him build trust and rapport with fellow participants and the staff, leading to a significant improvement in his overall well-being. “The horses were patient and gentle with us, and they provided a sense of calm and peace,” stated Sean.
Sean says, “I am confident that the participants will continue to benefit from the experience long after the program has ended.”
Through programs like these, we can unlock the potential of unconventional therapeutic approaches and pave the way for a more holistic and comprehensive approach to mental health support for those who have served our nation.
Read and support Sean’s moving Drive to Ride story here.
Sean’s Background:
Sean served as a Marine Corps officer for 20 years after earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He was trained in supply, finance, and logistics and served his first ten years in various roles, including a combat tour in Afghanistan. As a member of a 12-Marine team, Sean was embedded with an Afghan National Army rifle company near the border of Pakistan.
At the midpoint in his career, Sean earned a Master of Science in Computer Science and taught at the US Naval Academy. Finally, Sean served as an engagement manager and practice manager within an internal auditing agency. His unconventional time in uniform has enabled Sean to transition to cloud professional services focused on artificial intelligence seamlessly.
