J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center 4.71

As many as 60 distinct disabilities are seen at The Shea Center including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism and other sensory integration disorders, Down syndrome, blindness, deafness, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and stroke to name a few.

Therapeutic riding consists of a trusted partnership between a licensed therapist or trained instructor, well-trained volunteers and one The Shea Center’s 20 gentle and patient horses. A horse’s three-dimensional walk closely replicates the human walk, helping stimulate the rider’s muscle coordination, strength, posture, balance and self-confidence. The special bond that develops between horse and rider also produces emotional and psychological benefits unique to the program that the Center offers.

The Shea Center is certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int'l.) and is one of only three training facilities in the United States that offers a five-week training course. The Shea Center staff consists of11 full time staff, and 13 part-time and contract staff. All instructors are PATH-certified as are the two physical therapy professionals who perform evaluations, reassessments and individualized treatment programs for their clients.

An internationally recognized organization for its excellence in therapeutic riding programs, The Shea Center is a training facility at the regional, national and international level. Instructor candidates from all over the world visit the Shea Center to participate in a five-week, 200-hour PATH approved training program.