Olive R. (age 4) has only been riding at The Shea Center for about five months as an occupational therapy/hippotherapy client.  However, her therapist, Karen Yamasaki, commented that as a child with autism, Olive has made tremendous progress in that time.  Her grandfather, Michael, reports, “Olive has just blossomed since she’s been at Shea.”

Olive’s mother, Rachael, knows that riding horses is a motivating activity for Olive and is the highlight of her week.  She likes being on the horse, and after just a few lessons, she started doing things that would normally be out of her comfort zone.  Olive has fully embraced riding and is proud of herself.  She tells her friends about it, shows them photos, and has horse toys at home.

Rachael feels The Shea Center experience has opened up a whole new world for Olive.  She has become self-confident and curious.  Her world has expanded and she has become inquisitive.  Olive is now polite and more even tempered, whereas she used to have outbursts.  Because she is talking and expressing herself more, her speech has been affected – she no longer stutters!
Olive goes to pre-school and has other therapies, but Rachel says being at The Shea Center is a good break for both mom and daughter.  Occupational therapy at the Center isn’t work; it’s fun.