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...
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...
Josie H. is a cute, fearless little girl learning to be cautious. Diagnosed with an extremely rare metabolic deficiency disorder with congenital cataracts and neutropenia, she has gross motor delay and depth perception issues. But those don’t slow Josie down! She is...
Alessandro P., age 7 and a Shea Center client for 4 ½ years, has Mowat-Wilson syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes global developmental delay. Alessandro’s physical therapist, Matt Mitchell, explains Alessandro’s therapy, “Alessandro benefits from a...
During the pandemic, when The Shea Center was closed for lessons, Oliver B. and his physical therapist, Matt Heubert, spent their time together in virtual telehealth lessons. Ollie has a rare genetic disorder and continuing with telehealth therapy was important to...
Dane Bullock is a kind man who experienced a mild stroke about three years ago. Being at Shea with the horses is his favorite activity, especially during COVID-19. Dane and therapy program horse, Champ, grow their relationship when Dane rides and interacts with him...
The Shea Center’s adaptive riders are excited to be back riding their beloved horses once again. Dylan H. is one of those clients. Jamie Smartt, Dylan’s instructor, says, “Dylan has been riding at The Shea Center for seven years and has become a very accomplished...
Melissa Piccinati started coming to The Shea Center when she was a preteen. She is now 38 years old and considers The Shea Center a second home. Her mother, DeeAnne, says, "Coming to the Center is the highlight of Melissa's week." Melissa loves being around horses, so...
If you have ever received physical therapy, you have likely heard your therapist say “work on this exercise at home.” But how often do these exercises happen? Right now, many Shea Center telehealth clients are living and loving their home exercise programs! For...