influencer.
S.T.E.P.S. EQUINE THERAPY: JANA VINSON; HORSE: NOUN PROJECT
Young clients at S.T.E.P.S. With Horses do play therapy in a ranch environment.
POSITIVE STEPS
equine therapy’s mental health benefits INTERVIEW BY
SYDNEY BLALOCK RITCHIE
H
ORSES ARE MAJESTIC CREATURES. Their manes, big eyes, strong bodies and peaceful dispositions are awe-inspiring—so it’s no wonder that equine therapy is a powerful tool for mental well-being. We spoke to Hallie Sheade, co-founder of S.T.E.P.S. With Horses—located in Cresson, a city just outside Tarrant County— about the transformations they’ve seen in children and adults from all over Dallas-
Fort Worth. DFWCHILD: Tell us about the origins of S.T.E.P.S. With Horses. Hallie Sheade: My husband Paul Ziehe, a [U.S. Marine Corps] veteran, and I started S.T.E.P.S. in 2017 to expand equine-assisted mental health services and to increase access to these services. I have a Ph.D. in counseling, and I’m a licensed professional counselor supervisor as well as a registered play therapist supervisor, and have been practicing equine-assisted counseling for dfwchild.com / may 2021
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