Randi Shannahan grew up in rural West Texas and received her Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Animal Science with an equine concentration from Texas Tech University. While in college, she volunteered at the Texas Tech Therapeutic Riding Center and became a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. After her introduction to hippotherapy (equine assisted therapy), Randi decided physical therapy was a perfect occupation for her, and she went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Azusa Pacific University. Randi says she instantly felt at home when arriving at The Shea Center for a three-month physical therapy internship in 2015. She returned to the Center after completing her degree as a part time physical therapist.
While also working in other settings including outpatient orthopedics, subacute hospital care, research, and high-risk infant follow-up, she was immediately aware that her work at the Center was the highlight of her week. Randi comments, “I love so many things about The Shea Center. I feel very privileged to work outside with our amazing horses, staff, and volunteers. I love my clients and I’m continually amazed by the progress they make week after week. This is an incredibly happy and inspiring place to work. I am passionate about treating the whole individual, not just specific impairments, and this is the perfect treatment setting to do that.”
In 2020 Randi earned her credential as a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist and in September 2022, she was honored with the opportunity to work full time and serve as the Center’s Therapy Services Manager. Randi notes, “My colleagues and therapy team are some of the kindest and most talented people. Not every workplace builds others up like this one. It is truly something special.”
Randi enjoys being active outside either gardening, hiking, paddle boarding, or riding horses. She also spends her spare time as a consultant for Cerebral Palsy Early Detection Initiatives and High-Risk Infant Follow-up, and teaching future physical therapists as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Azusa Pacific University.
