Why we love her: Claire always shows up on time with a smile and a great attitude. She can lead any of our program horses.
Path to the Shea Center: “One summer I took horseback riding lessons at Sycamore Trails Stables and saw the Shea Center next door. I researched the facility and immediately knew I wanted to join the volunteer team since it combined my love of horses with my passion for helping others.
Years of service: In 2011, Claire began volunteering in summer camp prior to her freshman year in high school. “I continued volunteering until I moved to Santa Barbara for college. I loved my experience at the Shea Center so much I volunteered at a therapeutic equestrian center in Santa Barbara throughout college, then returned to the Shea Center in June 2021 when I moved back to Orange County. In total, I’ve volunteered at Shea almost six years.”
Favorite Shea memories: “…are centered around the pure joy I’ve seen from riders or progress I’ve witnessed throughout sessions. One of my riders gave commands to his horse with little or no hesitation. When he first started riding, it took many prompts and long periods of waiting for him to cue the horse. However, everything seemed to click during one lesson and he needed very little encouragement. I was so proud of his progress! Another favorite memory is from summer camp, when campers painted Kenny using paint mixed with shaving cream. I loved seeing all the fun designs. I received quite a few of Kenny’s signature massages while rinsing the paint off of him during rotations!”
Lessons learned: “Volunteering at the Shea Center made me realize that I enjoy helping improve rider’s physical and mental health even more than I love working with horses. As a result, I discovered my passion for medicine and decided to pursue a career as a physician.”
When not at the Shea Center, she can be found doing this: “I work as an Emergency Department scribe at Mission Hospital. In this position I assist providers (physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners) with charting patient visits. I learn something new every shift! I also enjoy running (and walking) with my yellow lab, Allie, reading, visiting the beach, and exploring new coffee shops.”
She finds her bliss doing this: “Volunteering at the Shea Center – it’s my favorite part of the week! When I step out of my car and smell the stables, all my worries slip away. Simply being around the horses brings me joy. This, combined with the friendly people and noticeable benefits to the riders, makes the Shea Center my happy place!”