Why we love him: Preston volunteers as a leader and sidewalker in lessons and in the feed room, filling daily supplement bags for all the horses. He also finds time to help out the volunteer department with general office work.
Path to the Shea Center: Preston was introduced to The Shea Center by his mom, Occupational Therapist Karen Yamasaki – a member of our therapy team. “I started coming in once in a while, to help her and fill in as a sidewalker. I had such a great time working with the kids, seeing the impact that horse movement had on their physiology, coordination, balance and strength. I wanted to do more, so I decided to officially join the volunteer program.”
Favorite Shea memories: “They exist, not as a single event, but as everyday Shea occurrences. I make new favorite memories every time I learn something new, help make a client smile, or connect with horses on a deeper level. The sheer magnitude of change and positivity that The Shea Center brings into people’s lives is quite unforgettable.”
Lessons learned: “I didn’t grow up around horses, nor have I really ridden a horse before, so everything I know about them I learned at Shea. From learning the different tack, to observing horse behavior, to learning how to ride; The Shea Center has given me a great deal of invaluable knowledge and experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Fun fact: We are grateful to have three Yamasaki family members on board at The Shea Center: in addition to his mom, Preston’s dad Joel is our Facilities Assistant.
When not at The Shea Center, he’s doing this: Preston is taking classes online, but when he needs to ditch the screen time he enjoys hiking, mountain biking or wildlife and landscape photography. He also knows his way around the kitchen and enjoys trying out new recipes.
He finds his bliss…: “Helping others and volunteering at The Shea Center. Tacking and grooming horses, helping a client feed treats to his/her favorite horse, or assisting one of the therapists with an activity; I love it all. It is through helping others that I hope to make a difference, no matter how big or small.”
Future plans for this game-changer: “For now, I plan to be a better person than who I was yesterday. I plan to utilize what I learn through my life experiences, to humbly accept praise, to graciously accept criticism, and to keep an open mind so that I may learn more.”
