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...
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...
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...