Congratulations to our September Volunteer of the Month Karen Levy. Volunteer Services Manager Michele Gingras has this to say, “Over the past year and a half, Karen has proven to be an outstanding addition to our volunteer team. She is dependable, highly regarded by both clients and staff, and deeply committed to our mission.”
Why we love her: Karen is a leader, sidewalker, barn crew member who assists with placing horses on the Eurowalker and is on the team of volunteers who create supplement bags for each horse. Karen has participated in all facets of our programs: therapy, adaptive riding, mental health, as well as special events and summer camp.
Road to The Shea Center: “Two years ago as I was planning my move from the Monterey Peninsula to San Clemente, I was driving around South Orange County looking for housing close to my mother whose health was declining. My friend in this area knew of my love for horses and drove me to The Shea Center. She is good friends with one the volunteers (shout-out to Denise Wishney!) and recommended that I look into opportunities at Shea. After moving in October 2023, speaking with Denise, and visiting The Shea Center, I was hooked!”
Years of service: Karen went through training in January 2024 and began working in lessons/therapy sessions the next month.
Lessons learned: “The most important lesson is to remember to breathe deeply prior to starting each shift. The horses can sense our stress and anxiety, and as a leader I need to be calm and centered. The LTAs and fellow volunteers have been so welcoming and patient with me as I was learning the tack and they offered tips on how best to lead a horse I hadn’t worked with before. The staff are knowledgeable and patient with the volunteers and the work they do with the clients is truly remarkable. I have been an elementary school teacher for over 30 years and can clearly see that the therapists and instructors love what they do and it rubs off on us all. And, I learned that Shea is my Happy Place!”
Favorite Shea Center memories: “I’ve made friends through volunteering at Shea and this is priceless – especially since I am new to the area. I love walking through the barn each day and I feel a pep in my step as I get closer to the horses. I see clients overcome tremendous obstacles and feel pride along with their family members who are witness to their accomplishments. When beginning to lead Level 3 horses, I stumbled a bit with my confidence as a leader: The staff was supportive, encouraging and patient, and after a few sessions I felt like a client might feel standing on the horse for the first time…it’s scary, but I CAN DO THIS!”
When not at Shea, she can be found…: Hiking and finding new trails and new friends to share the adventure. “I spend hours each day walking my energetic pup, Peanut. I was invited to try pickleball after moving here. Being a tennis player, I picked it up easily and love playing multiple times a week.”
She finds her bliss doing this: “Being with my two daughters, who live together in Colorado, brings me immense joy. Taking long walks and catching up with friends from Monterey on the phone and feeling connected. Enjoying a long beach walk or walking Dana Point Harbor with my pup. And, of course, enjoying an almond milk latte with cinnamon on top!