Meet the Team

Spirit of the Horse.

Eric Ryan Anderson, through his experiences as a Marine, a Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Champion, and a horse trainer, understands that the spirit of a horse and a human runs deep. The connection is therapeutic on multiple levels. The emotions that can course through anyone by just sitting on a 1200 pound animal can be overwhelming. Eric Ryan shares his therapy horses with our Military Vets, 1st Responders and Gold Star families in the hopes that they too, will connect with the Spirit of the Horse. 

"God has allowed me to experience the magic, and I feel obligated to share."

• Introduction:
  • Trauma specialist with a unique approach to treatment
  • Creator of a distinct subclinical protocol for trauma relief
• Credentials:
  • Currently completing a second doctorate in traumatology
  • Holds a doctorate in industrial organizational psychology
  • Masters in clinical mental health counseling
  • Certifications in EMDR, ART, RTM, and the exclusive Trauma Recovery Intervention Protocol
• Achievements:
  • Successfully assisted over 6,000 individuals
  • Pioneered advances in neurofeedback and brain study
  • Proprietary Trauma Recovery Intervention Protocol yields transformative results in just seven minutes
• Personal Message:
  • Committed to alleviating trauma symptoms such as sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks, with a method that respects your boundaries and eliminates the need to delve deep into traumatic events.

After spending years as a kid around horses with little to no supervision, it was refreshing to come to Florida and actually see what right looks like. After 10 years of playing Army and continuing to travel the globe to take care of service members on the front lines, I wanted to come home and give veterans, first responders, families, and anyone on the front lines, the opportunity to get out of the office to clear their trauma. After bouncing around for many years trying to provide therapy outdoors and put everyone in the hands of better qualified therapists, it turns out it was the animals all along and I've finally found a team who 'gets it'. 

I’m a podcast and radio host, author, speaker, Grammy-nominated vocal artist, musician, Christian—did I forget anything?—oh, yes, widowed mother of one amazing daughter.

That’s me—Monica Matthews. There’s only one of me. (Glory!)

My friends would use one word to describe me: Honest.

I keep it real for one reason—FREEDOM. It’s too important to do anything in life but defend it with Truth.

I am confident of my expertise in one thing: my life.

I’m not afraid to apologize when I’m wrong, but… just so ya know, that’s about as rare as a sasquatch sighting.

Don has been working in the substance abuse field for almost 40 years in the State of Florida, developing a variety of treatment and alternative sentencing programs. He is the former Director of the Members Assistance Program and the former Director of the Family Institute, and was instrumental in the development of the 

Broward Drug Court Program. Don was also the Executive Director of the National Safety Council, which provided DUI schools in the county, and a Director for Bayview Center for Mental Health. During that time, he served as an adjunct educator at Florida Metropolitan University. For 28 years, Don served as Vice President and President of the advisory board for the Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) and was a board member of the House of Hope. He was also on the Board of Governors

for the Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse and a member of the Community Action Team.

Don is one of the founding fathers of the Town of Southwest Ranches and served as Vice Mayor on the Town Council. Don is retired from the Broward Sheriff’s Office as the Substance Abuse Research and Program Manager and was an integral part of the Community Programs Division. Don developed the first Mobile Equine Assisted Therapy Program for B SO and started the volunteer Mounted Posse Division. Don was awarded the Employee of the Year Award for the Broward Sheriff's Office for 2016.

The Broward County Commission proclaimed July 12, 2004, as Don Maines Appreciation Day in Broward County for all that he has done. In 2019, Don also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the United Way of Broward County. Don continues to serve the community with the mounted patrol, Equine Therapy for Veterans, and Addiction Therapy.

Co-founder of Xtreme Horsemanship, Inc. with her husband, Eric Ryan Anderson, and nationally ranked Sr. Ladies 6 cowboy mounted shooter, Sharyl Anderson, brings over 15 years of hands-on equine experience to Spirit Equine Therapy. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) with plans to continue toward a PsyD, positioning her as the future on-site doctor for Spirit Equine Therapy. Sharyl’s approach combines competitive expertise, compassionate care, and a profound belief in the healing power of horses, creating a safe and structured environment where both animals and clients can thrive.

Mark is a dedicated husband and father with over 17 years as a Firefighter and Paramedic. Mark has dedicated his life to the service of others - as a young man through Scouting - and currently advocating for better mental health services for our First Responders and their families. Mark served as the outreach Director for Hero's Badges and Warriors and now serves in the Outreach Ministry Crosspoint Church of Spring Hill an dSpirit Equine Therapy. Mark's most notable quote is "I might know a guy".

 Jackie has loved horses for as long as she can remember. After surviving a traumatic brain injury, she found her own healing through the herd and knew she wanted to share that same hope with others. Jackie lives each day knowing it's time she wasn't supposed to have. For her, the best way to honor that gift is by helping others discover their own second chance. She shares her hard-won lessons with the hope that others can find healing without carrying the same weight she did. 

Jayne's journey to SET was literally a cowboy on a horse that walked across her path and changed her world. Coming to the ranch opened her eyes to the unique relationships we can develop through our involvement with these amazing animals. Joining the team and being able to experience the healing powers of these magnificent "therapists" has been the best medicine for her soul, as well as for those who pass through the ranch gates. 

Ever since Kathy can remember, she's been training or rescuing animals. 

As an adult she works with the mounted unit, doing all kinds of details from Search and Rescue as well as donating her time to parking details, parades, and educating kids about animals. 

Having a Marine dad that had mental issues, and a Marine stepson who did 2 tours in Iraq, had PTSD, and ended up drinking himself to death, makes Kathy glad to be a part of this wonderful team to help those in need.