Gabriella, age 4, doesn’t stop smiling while riding Huckleberry. When she arrived at The Shea Center two years ago, she was timid and had weakness in her right side.

Once Gabriella started participating in occupational therapy utilizing hippotherapy, her core strength began to improve, as well as her balance and motor skills.  Her mother, Brittany, says, “Gabriella is now willing to try to do things that she wouldn’t have even tried before.”

Through interaction with her therapist and sidewalkers, Gabriella’s social skills, problem-solving, and fine motor coordination have improved. She has become more confident in interacting with people and completing daily activities at home and school.

Gabriella’s parents have her try other activities, but riding is her sport and what she loves the most. By grooming the horses, she learned to brush her hair. She also likes to cut carrots, feed the horses, ride on the trail, and go through the barn.