At 18 months old, Max was meeting and surpassing his developmental milestones, but he suddenly stopped speaking and was later diagnosed with autism and apraxia of speech. His mother, Marbella, promised to provide him with the best care and support possible. Despite...
Apple Jax is a handsome, sweet, and expressive Palomino pony with a heart as golden as his coat. Donated by a local family who cherished him for over a decade, they knew he would bring just as much joy to the children of Shea as he did to their own. Apple’s gentle...
Twenty-year-old Megan Shook began riding at The Shea Center when she was five and continued intermittently until the age of 13. Born prematurely, Megan spent her first three months in the NICU, and even as an infant, she showed sensitivity to loud sounds. Diagnosed...
Matthew Thompson began participating in The Shea Center’s Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program in 2022, after learning about it from his wife, a Shea Center volunteer. During his service in the Iraq war, Matthew experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and...
Congratulations to Marnie White, our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteer Services Manager Michele Gingras comments, 'Marnie is a reliable and committed volunteer who approaches her lessons with a calm and caring presence. She communicates effectively with clients and is...
Michele, Taylir, Cara Shea Center volunteers serve from the heart, freely giving their time, talent, and treasure. As you read the bios of these three wonderful women, we’re sure you’ll agree they exemplify that spirit. They also warmly invite you to join them in...
We recently hosted our Annual Meeting and Volunteer Celebration to honor the incredible individuals who help make The Shea Center’s mission possible—our dedicated board members and volunteers. The Annual Meeting is a vital part of The Shea Center’s governance,...
Congratulations to our April Volunteers of the Month, Alyssa and Hailey. Volunteer services manager Michele Gingras commented: "Alyssa and Hailey are an excellent addition to the volunteer team at Shea. They show up each week with bright smiles and a heartfelt...
The H.T.F Charitable Foundation and Roger and Helen Abramson recently sponsored a fantastic event at The Shea Center for participants in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) from Camp Pendleton. EFMP provides specialized medical or educational services,...
Tanner, now seven years old, has been a client at The Shea Center for three years. Born four weeks prematurely, Tanner’s mother, Courtney, knew during her pregnancy that something wasn’t right. Tanner was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hypotonia, which caused...