Hallie Sheade, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

Executive Director & Co-Founder

I grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. I fell in love with horses at age 2, begging to ride a pony at a local carnival without my mother holding my hand. When I was 9, I would spend all day the barn doing chores in exchange for free riding time. The journey that led me to start  S.T.E.P.S. With Horses really began the day Cowman arrived at the barn. He had a reputation for being strong willed and uncooperative. I believed he was just misunderstood. 

At the time, I often felt very misunderstood by my parents, so Cowman and I had something in ​common. Every day, I would sit in Cowman's stall and groom him for hours as I told him all my troubles. Cowman and I soon bonded. When I would leave the stall, he would often grab the back of my shirt and pull me back in. Over the next few months, some interesting things started to happen. My relationship with my parents began to improve and Cowman started to cooperate with other riders. Cowman and I had formed a mutually beneficial bond that improved the quality of life for both of us.
My relationship with Cowman started me down a path that has led to:

• Achieving supervisor credentials as both a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor.

• Authoring recently-published book, Equine-Assisted Counseling and Psychotherapy: Healing Through Horses.
• Being named Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Technical Editor for PATH Int.'s quarterly publication, Strides. 
• Having my equine assisted counseling models: Relational Equine-Partnered Counseling (REPC) and Equine-Partnered Play Therapy (EPPT) featured in Dr. Cynthia Chandler's, world-renowned expert in animal assisted therapy, textbook entitled Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling.
• Earning a PhD in Counseling at the University of North Texas where I pioneered two innovative models, REPC and EPPT. In my doctoral dissertation, I examined the effectiveness of REPC on the reduction of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in military veterans.
• Being named Chi Sigma Iota International's Outstanding Practitioner in 2015.
• Founding Equine Connection Counseling, a private practice for equine assisted counseling.
• Partnering with local universities to train interns and speak on animal assisted therapy in both undergraduate and graduate level courses at local universities such as University of North Texas, Tarleton University, Texas Woman's University, and Texas Christian University.
• Presenting at state, national and international conferences, and authoring manuscripts and articles on animal assisted therapy and Equine Assisted Counseling.
• Receiving certification through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International as a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). I am also an ESMHL Associate Mental Health Faculty Member and Evaluator for the ESMHL Workshops and served on the PATH Intl. Health and Education Advisory Committee.
• Completing a Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Counseling at Georgia State University.
• Attending the University of Miami  for Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Psychology and Biology, where I also volunteered at a horse rescue facility and participated as a member of the University Equestrian Team.
  ​

I have come full circle. My journey started with the mutually beneficial bond she made with Cowman that improved the quality of life for both of us. Now I as helping others tap into the power of the horse-human relationship to do the same.

​Credentials: Ph.D. In Counseling, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in the state of Texas (#67848), and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S); PATH Intl. CTRI, ESMHL

Dr. Sheade's Curriculum Vitae

---

Paul Ziehe, USMC Veteran, PATH Intl. CTRI/ESMHL

Co-Founder

I am a Fort Worth native raised in Benbrook. I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1996, rising to the rank of sergeant. I was called to active duty and deployed with VMGR-234 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004. I was honorably discharged in 2005 and will be forever proud to be a US Marine.

To further my equine education, I worked with a local cutting horse trainer to learn how to get horses started under saddle. I have also worked cattle in west Fort Worth and even taken a trip to New Mexico in 2012 riding and working cattle in the mountains. My latest experience began in 2014 when I started serving as an Equine Specialist for Equine Connection Counseling.
I am  excited and proud to be a part of S.T.E.P.S. with Horses! I knows that veterans, their families, and at-risk youth are underserved populations, and I have seen how the REPC (Relational Equine- Partnered Counseling) and EPPT (Equine-Partnered Play Therapy) models have impacted lives for the better. I strongly believe in the S.T.E.P.S. with Horses mission and that S.T.E.P.S. with Horses will become an innovative leader in the equine-partnered therapy field.
Credentials:  Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) 

Shelby Sherrill

CTRI-In-Training
ESMHL-In-Training
​Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, PATH Intl. CTRI/ESMHL

Administrative Manager, Equine Specialist, & Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Shelby's Bio

 ​Shelby's story is one of deep personal connection and resilience. She grew up in a law enforcement and military family. Struggling to navigate the emotional complexities of her father's return from deployment, she and her family decided to channel their experiences into making a positive impact in the mental health community. For Shelby, this journey led her to discover equine-assisted therapy, a lifeline that not only saved her but also became her passion.
Her therapy horse guided her through moments of darkness and providing a source of comfort and healing. When he retired, Shelby made the decision to step into horse ownership herself. With a newfound sense of purpose, Shelby immersed herself in the world of equine companionship and therapy, eager to share the healing power of horses with others facing their own struggles. Today, as a mother to two human boys and to two equine boys, Shelby's journey is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the profound bonds forged between humans and horses.

Alexandra "Sasha" Ryan

MS, LPC

Counselor 

Sasha's bio

Would you like to gain perspective on your life? Are you battling issues that you are uncomfortable sharing with others? Sasha wants to help you move forward and create the life you envision for yourself. Your challenge may be trauma, addiction, or anxiety, or you may be depressed, unhappy with your job or struggling with a significant life change. Sasha has personally waged some of these battles.

You and Sasha will work together to build a trusting relationship that will promote your healing. She utilizes a variety of treatment techniques including Person Centered Therapy, MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy), Solution Focused Therapy and Equine Assisted Counseling.

Based on Sasha's knowledge and experience, she can help you lay out a personalized road map, tailored to your needs, enabling you to develop the awareness, behaviors and confidence that will lead to greater wellness. Together, you and Sasha can unlock your potential.

On a more personal level, Sasha lives in Parker County with my family including our dogs, cats, and goats. She spends time every day with my Bible. And if she has a few spare moments, you can find her at the barn with her horse or on the lake with her family.

Lauryn Mann

PATH Intl. ESMHL

Equine Specialist

Lauryn's bio

Lauryn is a Texas native and has had a passion for equines since she was a little girl. She was a bit anxious as a child but through connecting with horses in her youth, she gained confidence and the ability to apply that confidence throughout the rest of her life. She also has a passion for the mind, especially the mind when it is affected by trauma. She is fascinated by the ways we choose to cope with trauma and how the body and brain interact to help us survive adverse experiences. ​Lauryn feels so blessed to be working with STEPS as she earns her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Texas, and eventually her Masters in Counseling. Lauryn hopes to become a counselor specializing in equine assisted mental health services. She has earned her PATH Intl. credential as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and is enrolled in University of North Texas' graduate counseling program to gain a deeper understanding of equines as animals and co-therapists. We are all connected whether we realize it or not and the intrinsic abilities of equines to connect us to ourselves, others, and the world around us is something she does not take for granted.

Tressa Marr

MA, LPC Associate
CTRI-in-Training
​ESMHL-in-Training
 Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, PATH Intl. CTRI/ESMHL

Counselor, Equine Specialist,
​& Riding Instructor

Tressa's BIo

Tressa's passion for horses began in childhood when her parents got her a horse that became her safe haven and boosted her confidence. Competing from age 10, she won numerous championships in the American Quarter Horse Association and Palomino Horse Breeders Association. At Texas A&M, she was part of a national championship-winning equestrian team and earned a PHBA World Championship in Amateur Horsemanship. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Tressa spent nine years teaching special education. She then earned a MA in School Counseling and worked as a school counselor for six years, gaining extensive experience with individuals facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, addictions, and other challenges. Currently a counseling intern at Amberton University, she uses a collaborative, client-centered approach to help clients grow and improve. Tressa is a wife and mother of three energetic children. In her spare time, she enjoys moments with her family and dog, Otis. She loves reading all genres of books, volunteering in her church's children's ministry and small group, staying physically active, and binge-watching romcom or sci-fi movies.

Hannah Tapling

BS, Graduate-Level Counseling Intern
ESMHL-in-Training
​Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, PATH Intl. CTRI/ESMHL

Counselor & Equine Specialist

Hannah's bio

Hannah began riding horses when she was 5 years old. Hannah’s aunt owned horses in Alabama, and Hannah was able to visit her a few times while growing up. Hannah rode her horses during her visits, and each time she loved it more. Hannah’s parents bought her a horse in 2011, and she began showing in the American Quarter Horse Association. After competing successfully for multiple years, Hannah was recruited to ride for the Texas A&M Equestrian team. Hannah rode on the Equestrian team for four years, and in 2021 she graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, complemented by a minor in Sports Management and a certificate in Applied Behavioral Health. After graduation, Hannah worked for the SMU Equestrian team as their Director of Operations, while also beginning her journey to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. Currently, Hannah is a counseling intern with STEPS With Horses and plans to graduate from SMU’s Counseling program in August. Hannah specializes in working with children and adolescents and hopes to become a Registered Play Therapist. Hannah is an animal lover and hopes to continue riding horses after graduation. In her spare time, Hannah loves walking her dog, riding horses, getting dinner with friends, and reading romantic comedies.

Halayna Cicardo

ESMHL-In-Training
​
Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, PATH Intl. CTRI/ESMHL

Equine Specialist

Halayna's bio

Halayna has loved horses since her mom pulled over onto the side of the road for her to meet a horse at the age of five. She started riding lessons soon after and has had a passion for all things equines ever since. 
She is currently enrolled at the University of North Texas in the psychology department and about to finish her bachelors of psychology with a minor in counseling. She plans on pursuing a masters in counseling after graduation. Halayna dreams of becoming a LPC with a focus specializing in equine assisted counseling, along with play therapy incorporating equines for children. Equine assisted counseling is the perfect mix of her passions - horses and the mind. 
Halayna has always felt that nature was important for healing. Whether it's the sunshine, the breeze through the trees, or horses, nature is a great tool in the healing process and she hopes to facilitate that healing journey for people with the help of horses in the future. 

Molly Cowart

BS, Graduate-Level Counseling Intern
​Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
​PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

Counselor

Molly's bio

​Molly’s story is centered around family and connection. She grew up in a law enforcement and military family. Struggling to cope with numerous deployments, Molly found a safe haven by riding horses and discovered her passion for helping others through volunteering at therapeutic riding centers.
Molly has always had a passion for working with and advocating for children. Her desire to work in the helping profession was solidified when her family welcomed and nurtured several children in their home as a foster family. Because of this experience, Molly decided to attend Louisiana Tech University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. After undergraduate school, Molly used her degree by working as a case manager for approximately two years at a foster and adoption agency.
Molly is currently a graduate-level intern pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Texas. Molly uses a collaborative and holistic approach to provide traditional counseling, equine assisted counseling, and play therapy. Molly is dedicated to support children, parents, and adults through their unique journeys and concerns including trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, child behavioral issues, and parent training. Molly has also received training to work with military veterans and families.  
In her spare time, Molly loves spending time with her dog, Rue. She also enjoys exercising, arts and crafts, and binge-watching action or comedy movies and TV shows.

Elizabeth Vasseur

BS, Graduate-Level Counseling Intern
​Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
​PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

Counselor

Elizabeth's Bio

Elizabeth has a passion for mental health, art, playfulness, and animals, and integrates them together in sessions as a clinical mental health counseling intern. As a child and teen, she participated in show jumping at a local Fort Worth barn and fell in love with the special bond horses and people can share. 
​Elizabeth has worked in education, mentoring and supporting teens and adults. Elizabeth is currently obtaining a Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern Methodist University with a focus in trauma-focused and Expressive Arts Therapy modalities. She received a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Psychology from Texas Wesleyan University, and is a current member of the SMU Chi Sigma Mu Honor’s Society and the International Association of Expressive Arts Therapy. ​

Jasmine Shepard

ESMHL-in-Training
​Under the Supervision of Hallie Sheade,
​PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, PATH Intl. CTRI/ESMHL

Equine Specialist

Jasmine's bio

Jasmine has loved horses since she was a little girl. She grew up in the small town of Kennedale, Texas on Shephard’s Ranch where she learned to ride, groom, and care for horses. Over the years, horses have taught Jasmine many valuable skills such as leadership, confidence, discipline, and patience. Jasmine has always had a passion for horses and helping others which has led her to seek a career in Equine Assisted Therapy. Jasmine graduated class of 2024 from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Jasmine is a graduate student at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and looks forward to her new journey in assisting S.T.E.P.S. and continuing her education in counseling.
Jasmine strongly believes in the healing power of horses, having witnessed firsthand how they can empower individuals to overcome emotional and psychological challenges. She is eager to contribute to the transformative impact these animals have on both individuals and communities, and is committed to making a positive difference through her future career. Coming soon!