Abby B.'s bedroom reflects her passion for horses including a horse calendar on the wall. Last year, on her first day of occupational therapy utilizing hippotherapy at The Shea Center, Abby wasn't sure horses were much fun. She was riding a horse in a puppy dog pose...
Maggie G.’s favorite activity is hide-and-seek says her physical therapist, Randi Shannahan. At The Shea Center, we try to incorporate the game whenever possible during Maggie's physical therapy sessions on and off the horse. This can be a great method to...
“Goodbye, Auggie”. Those are Hudson D.’s new words. Hudson is five years old and has been a Shea Center client for two years. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Hudson is visually impaired and has delayed speech. He attends transitional kindergarten, speaks about 50...
At six months of age, Isabella C. (age 5) was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip where the “ball and socket” joint of the hip did not properly form. After surgery at seven months, she was in a hip spica cast from her abdomen to her ankles for four...
Why we love her: Grace is a sidewalker for client Hudson D. on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings during his physical therapy hippotherapy treatments. In addition to supporting him on his horse Auggie, Grace keeps him smiling by singing his favorite songs,...
During the past 43 years, The Shea Center has earned an international reputation as a leader in the field of therapeutic riding, but did you know that the Center also offers internships to graduate students pursuing degrees in physical and occupational therapy as well...
Capri W. (age 7) loves animals and loves riding at The Shea Center. She would ride everyday if she could. She likes to hug all the horses and enjoys grooming, feeding them carrots, and telling her friends she rides horses.Riding in the Center's adaptive riding...
Why we love her: Sandra checks all the boxes: She’s a leader, a sidewalker, a barn steward, and is always ready to help out wherever she’s needed.Path to The Shea Center: “Shea representatives visited my Occupational Therapy Assistant program to describe the work that...
Agnes McGlone has been participating in physical therapy at The Shea Center for ten months and, as our oldest client, will celebrate her 89th birthday next week! Agnes is the mother of Shea Center Chief Development Officer Agnes McGlone Swanson.Agnes loves coming to...
Most of our horses are generously donated by individuals. Because not all horses are good candidates for a therapeutic riding program, each horse goes through a thorough trial period for up to 120 days. A program horse candidate must be calm, react positively to...