Huge congrats to our Shea Center volunteer Liam who is our newest Volunteer of the Month!

Why we love him: Liam is thoughtful and hardworking. He puts time and effort into honing the skills he uses as a volunteer, such as pulling tack for lessons.

Path to The Shea Center: “I first came to The Shea Center when I was around 6 years old.” Liam says coming to Shea has helped him learn to focus and stay calm. He continues, “After being at The Shea Center for a few years I realized how I wanted to be there as much as I could. I couldn’t wait until I turned 14 to start volunteering. I really love spending time with all the horses and helping everyone.”

Years of service: Liam and his grandmother, Maureen, started volunteering this year as Barn Stewards and as part of the Tack Crew. They assist with pulling equipment and tacking horses before client lessons.

Lessons learned: Being a volunteer has taught Liam more about tacking, bridling, and saddling horses independently. Liam says that The Shea Center’s Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program has helped to increase his awareness of horse behavior. He comments, “I have learned to understand when a horse is anxious or calm, and how I can help it stay calm. Being with the horses makes me feel calm and happy.”

Favorite Shea Center memories: “I love all of my lessons and I love when the horses treat me like I belong. I know that they trust me and I trust them.” Liam participates in Adaptive Riding lessons and Equine Assisted Learning lessons each week.

When not at The Shea Center, he likes to: “I am working on Lego model cars, woodworking projects with my grandpa, going to car shows, and playing video games.”

He finds his bliss doing this: “I find my bliss when I am at The Shea Center, and spending time with the horses and riding.”