Our marvelous Volunteer of the Month is Julie Froley!
For 18 years, Julie drove past The Shea Center on her way to announce at hunter/jumper horse shows at Sycamore Trails Stables. When she retired from announcing, she needed to get her “horse fix” elsewhere. Her retirement was The Shea Center’s gain, and since 2014, she has been a fabulous lesson volunteer!
When asked about her experience at The Shea Center, Julie exclaims, “It has been the best decision I have made. From the greetings I get each day from Christina, Madisen, and Courtney in the volunteer office, to the LTA’s who guide and direct with a smile . . . if I have a question or concern, Madison is always there to help me out!”
Julie’s favorite role at The Shea Center is sidewalking because she can interact directly with the clients. Julie has a very natural manner with our clients, perhaps because she has taught preschool for 26 years. She and hippotherapy client, Stella, have a particularly special connection. Julie says learning from the therapists about the needs of the clients, and why they ride certain horses has been an interesting experience.
To Julie, Boog and Mini are standout favorites in the herd. She explains, “They are just my size and it makes it easy for me to properly sidewalk alongside them.” Julie loves Mini’s engaging personality, and that he provides a big movement for his clients even though he is small in stature.
When Julie is not at The Shea Center or teaching at preschool, she enjoys going to horse shows with her daughter who is a horse trainer in Northern California. Julie and her husband enjoy paddle boarding in Dana Point harbor, and watching their grandchildren play soccer. They even received the CPHA Parents Sportsmanship Award at a banquet this year.
Julie hopes to be a volunteer at The Shea Center for many years to come. She beautifully states, “The people and animals at the Center are good for my soul.”
Thank you, Julie, The Shea Center will be fortunate and happy to have you volunteer for many more years. Congratulations!
