STEPS With Horses

Who we are:

STEPS was established in 2017 to expand services and increase accessibility in order to fill a gap in mental health care for military service members and family members, at-risk youth, and others with mental health needs by providing access to a unique form of continuity of care through equine assisted therapies and activities.

The need for professional mental health counseling to cope with post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns experienced by Military Service Members and Veterans (and their families) and At-Risk Youth has been widely documented and publicized.

What has not been publicized is that many clients find it difficult to engage in traditional office-based therapy. These clients may therefore avoid or struggle to progress in office-based approaches. Tragically, too many in these populations go untreated - often the ones with the greatest need for treatment.

There is a need in the marketplace for a mental healthcare program that can address the unique mental health needs of the Military Service Member and Veteran and At-Risk Youth populations. A program that, under one roof, provides both professional mental health counseling as well as post-counseling support activities can be critical to maintaining gains accomplished in counseling.

S.T.E.P.S. With Horses (STEPS) accomplishes this goal by using a form of professional counseling that Military Service Members and Veterans and At-Risk Youth populations respond positively to (and look forward to attending) called Equine Assisted Counseling and by using a model of mental health delivery designed by co-founder, Dr. Hallie Sheade called the Spectrum of Therapeutic Equine-Partnered Services (STEPS) Model.

What is the STEPS Model?

The term "STEPS" stands for Spectrum of Therapeutic Equine-Partnered Services (STEPS Model).

The STEPS Model is a novel, cutting-edge approach to provide multiple levels of care targeted at treating mental health concerns through equine assisted mental health services. STEPS features a unique continuity of care to provide both clinical services (such as Equine Assisted Counseling and Psychotherapy) and non-clinical services (Therapeutic Horsemanship).

The STEPS Model supports clients by improving quality of life and minimizing regression, but also benefits the local community by avoiding the much costlier need for in-patient and/or residential care that is often the result of failure to get needed care.

 Essentially, STEPS provides an alternative approach to mental health counseling, especially for those who avoid traditional office-based therapy or are not satisfied with the results. By partnering with Horses for Mental Health STEPS is committed to brining awareness to the benefits of equine assisted therapies for Veterans, at-risk youth, and those in need of mental health services.

Our Needs

Our therapy equines are more than companions—they are healers for veterans, youth, and families facing life’s toughest challenges. Every gentle nudge, patient breath, and steady presence helps someone find hope again. But these healers can only give their best when they are healthy and strong. Covering the full yearly care of a herd member—hay, grain, veterinary care, farrier visits, and more—ensures that each equine is nourished, pain-free, and ready to stand alongside those who need them most. When you invest in their wellbeing, you’re not just caring for a horse or donkey—you’re sustaining the heartbeat of healing for the heroes and people they serve. Healthy horses make better healers, and together we can give them the care they deserve so they can continue changing lives. 

This year, our focus is on coming together as a community to raise $5,000—the full annual cost to care for one of our extraordinary herd members. Covering hay, grain, veterinary care, farrier visits, and daily needs ensures that this horse stays healthy, strong, and ready to continue their life-changing work with youth, veterans, and families. Every gift brings us closer to fully supporting a healer who gives so much to our community.

To donate, simply click the green button "Donate" above"! Thank you for making a difference!