Every Tuesday and Saturday, Kate G. (age 5) and her mother Donna have a fun time together at The Shea Center. Those are the days that Donna sidewalks with Kate during her occupational and speech therapy treatments. Kate rides Remi and Merry, her favorite, and loves...
Fran Joswick was The Shea Center’s first executive director. In 1978, Fran, a self-described horse person, was a social worker working with the disabled and learned about a therapeutic riding center in Michigan. She wanted to start something similar in Southern...
Twelve-year-old Eleni W. has always loved animals. She has two dogs and a cat at home, but horses are her very favorite, and riding is the highlight of her week. Some of Eleni’s first riding experiences took place riding the ponies at Irvine Regional Park.On riding...
Why we love her: For her flexibility! Pre-pandemic, Chloe volunteered as a barn crew member, sidewalker and leader … jumping in wherever she was needed. Since we reopened for services onsite, Chloe stays busy leading horses in therapy and adaptive riding lessons (Boog...
Adaptive riding clients Hannah S. and Tanette T. are best friends and roommates. As with most notable duos, it's their differences, as much as their similarities, which make them a great team. One is a steadfast rule-follower. The other takes a more laidback...
Wednesdays are 16-year-old Brenden C.’s favorite day of the week. It’s the day he gets to ride at The Shea Center. He has been getting speech therapy treatments and participating in adaptive riding at the Center for four years.Brenden currently rides Shaw, but one...
Volunteer of the Month ~ Rita QuinnWhy we love her: Rita is a dedicated leader who searches out opportunities to improve her horse handling skills. She is also a Barn Steward, helping to keep the barn, tack rooms, and crossties and tack clean and disinfected. She...
The Shea Center is proud to feature a LiteGait mobility device in our Inclusive Fitness Center (IFC). The LiteGait provides supported weight-bearing gait training for both pediatric and adult clients.Used over ground or over a treadmill, the LiteGait is utilized to...
About three years ago, five-year-old Sayler N. was feeling fine and went down for her afternoon nap. Later, she woke with a high fever and couldn’t speak. Eventually, she began talking with a stutter. This was very scary for both Sayler and her parents. They felt...
Drew G., age 12, has been a Shea Center rider for 3 ½ years. He began with two sidewalkers, a leader, and an instructor and now, he sometimes rides independently. Riding has improved Drew’s strength, posture, balance, and self-confidence.Drew’s mom, Heather, says...