Huge congrats to our Shea Center volunteer Phil Cooper who is our newest Volunteer of the Month.

Why we love him: Phil began volunteering for Shea Horse Camp last year. He has served as a sidewalker, a barn steward, and is currently a leader. “I come early to pull tack and spend time discussing world politics with the horses.”

Path to The Shea Center: The Shea herd was a big pull for Phil, who owned a small ranch in Las Vegas where he kept his horses and boarded horses in a four-stall barn.

Lessons learned: “I’ve learned so much about handling horses and ‘The Shea Way’ process. I also understand what a difference Shea makes in the community of clients it serves year-round.”

Favorite Shea Center memories: “Working with the dedicated people who work at the facility each day, the diverse and different personalities of the horses, and the FUN that is shared by everyone I’ve met.”

When not at The Shea Center, he can be found doing this: “When I’m not at Shea, I’m waiting to go to Shea. No, really. I’m sort of semi-retired after 30 years as a senior marketing executive in the travel/gaming and hotel hospitality sector.”

He finds his bliss doing this: “These days I find my bliss in family (two adult children), time with my wife, and in the faces of the clients we serve.”

Future plans: “I’d like to move up to whatever the next level of service exists at Shea. My plan is to increase my time at the barn and be part of the big picture.”