The Shea Center offers classes that focus on a broad range and combination of disabilities. These classes fall under the general term "therapeutic riding" but each class is a sophisticated program developed to address the needs of that small group.
For example, physical rehabilitation classes are aimed at riders with impairments affecting muscles, bones and nerves. These classes use the input of the horse, activities on the horse and positioning on the horse, to provide strength, balance, and coordination.
Cognitive classes address the many processes of the mind, including planning, judgment, memory, orientation, concepts, attention, and language.
Sensory Processing classes provide activities on the horse to improve the brain's ability to take in, analyze and respond to information from the body's five senses. The primary goals of these classes are increased body awareness, sequencing & judgment skills, attention span, cause and effect, motor coordination, spatial awareness, and early learning skills.
Horsemanship classes help clients acquire and refine riding skills at the center's highest level. In addition to the physical benefits of riding, clients improve judgment skills, social interaction, coordination, motor planning, self confidence & esteem, and a greater sense of independence.
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, or speech and language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement.
The organized movement of the horse is an effective treatment strategy used to improve function in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.
A license physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist with specialized training in the principles of hippotherapy and horsemanship is responsible for directing the treatment team during a session using hippotherapy as a treatment strategy.
A hippotherapy session requires a carefully trained team consisting of: patient, therapist, horse expert, horse and side walkers.
Equine Assisted Therapy, used by a medical professional, is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that integrates gains into functional activities.
Horses used in Equine Assisted Therapy should have quality of movement, appropriate temperament and ongoing specialized training. All horses should be treated humanely at all times.
Clinicians providing Equine Assisted Therapy are to maintain a high level of professional competence by participation in related continuing education activities. They must follow the standards of practice and code of ethics for their discipline.
The term was inherited by therapists in North America from colleagues in Europe who have used the term since the early 1960’s. Internationally, hippotherapy means “treatment with the help of the horse” and is derived from the Greek word “hippo”, meaning horse. The term was created to distinguish the medical or rehabilitative use of the movement of the horse from other equine activities which emphasize applications for education, recreation or sport riding for the disabled.
Hippotherapy is not a separate form of therapy. The term is an inclusive term that refers to the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy and may also include therapeutic exercises and activities while on the horse. Therapists are able to modify the use of this strategy depending on their patient population, clinical expertise and the scope of practice of their particular profession.
The Shea Method
Clients are evaluated before entry into a program and frequently over time, to ensure placement in classes most beneficial to their individual needs and goals. Classes are small and structured to deliver individual attention and supportive socialization. In some cases, individual therapy is appropriate in preparation for graduation into more advanced classes. Programs are conducted in a safe, natural outdoor setting providing appropriate sensory input and a healthy environment.
Caring for our Partners - Our Horse Sponsorship Program
The Shea Center horses and ponies serve more than 200 clients during each session in our hippotherapy and therapeutic riding programs. The Shea Center horse sponsorship program provides the funds to support the cost of caring for our horses each year and helps underwrite feed, shavings, horseshoes, veterinary care, tack, stall management, and other indirect costs such as utilities and facilities maintenance.
For our programs to be safe, effective and successful for our clients/riders, it is critical our horses be healthy, happy, and sound. We are most grateful to the generous individuals, organizations, foundations and businesses who provide the needed funding to care for and feed our therapy horses through their annual tax-deductible sponsorship donations.
While we rely on our licensed physical and speech therapy team, our therapeutic riding instructors, and hundreds of volunteers to provide our services, our horses and ponies are essential to the Shea Center's ability to provide our therapeutic riding programs to our clients. The total cost to feed and care for one horse at the Center averages $8,000 a year and does not cover any additional veterinary or emergency costs that may arise during the course of the year.
There are three sponsorship recognition levels offered to fund the annual costs to keep our horses in the best possible condition for our clients. Make a gift to sponsor a Shea Center horse.
Sponsorship Recognition:
» A 100% tax-deductible contribution (your sponsorship gift is restricted to horse care)
» A photo of your horse
» The sponsor's name(s) placed on a special stall sign in the barn
» Recognition at Shea Center horse shows and other events
» Horses sponsored at the Grand Champion Sponsorship level of $10,000 will also wear a leather halter with the sponsor's
name(s) on the brass nameplate.
For further information, please contact the Shea Center Development Office: (949) 240-8441 ext. 111 or email Cindy Bobruk.
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