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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 5pm

J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center

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United States
San Juan Capistrano, CA
J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. The non-profit 501(c)(3) J.F. In 2001, the J.F. Shea Co., Inc.
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Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, located in San Juan Capistrano, began in 1978 as The Orange County Riding Center. It was founded by Nancy and Derek Lewis for their son, Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy. Because social worker and equestrienne, Fran Joswick, was the Center’s first instructor and executive director, the Center was renamed the Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center. donated eight acres of land for a permanent facility and the Center was again renamed as the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center. Accredited at the “premier” level by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), The Shea Center is internationally recognized for its excellence in therapeutic programs. It is also is a therapeutic riding training facility drawing interns and students from around the world. The modest beginnings of The Shea Center have yielded an organization that has become one of the top equine assisted therapy centers in the world. The Center now serves almost 900 participants each year and provides more than 8,000 hours of client services annually. Utilizing 23 horses and the assistance of community volunteers, the Center has grown to be an organization with a $4.4 million annual operating budget. The Center’s team consists of 31 full-time and 15 part-time and contract staff members. All instructors and therapy professionals who perform evaluations, assessments, and create individualized treatment programs for their clients are PATH Intl. certified. Over 70 distinct disabilities are addressed through a variety of programs that include physical, occupational, and speech therapies. The Shea Center’s state-of-the-art equestrian facility consists of two covered arenas, one open arena, a forty-stall barn, two round pens, a farrier and veterinarian area, and riding trails. The Klein Family Education & Therapy Building provides indoor space for an inclusive fitness center, physical, speech, and occupational therapy clinics, rooms for teaching and training, and facilities for instructors, staff, and volunteers. The Center offers a financial aid program for current and past military families as well as a sliding scale of fees for those in need of financial assistance.

03/20/2026

Heading to the Swallows Day Parade tomorrow? 🌼 Keep an eye out for us in our yellow shirts and our signature red wagon! ❤️ We can’t wait to celebrate with our amazing community—see you there!

03/19/2026

🌍 Advancing hippotherapy research on a global stage.

✈️ Members of The Shea Center therapy team recently traveled to Bangkok to present at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) 2026 Congress, sharing groundbreaking research conducted in partnership with Chapman University and Oregon Institute of Technology.

📊 With data from 196 children across five centers, this study highlights measurable progress and reinforces the impact of evidence-informed care in pediatric rehabilitation.

🐴 We are proud to contribute to the growing body of research and to share the meaningful outcomes made possible through physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy utilizing hippotherapy.

Read more on our blog 🔗 sheacenter.org/sharing-the-impact-of-hippotherapy-at-the-wfot-2026-congress/

EquineAssistedServices NonprofitImpact WFOT

03/18/2026

🐴 For clients like Brad, adaptive riding isn’t just about being in the saddle—it’s about building strength, confidence, coordination, and independence that carry into every part of life.

03/17/2026

🍀 Feeling lucky at The Shea Center!

Last week our clients, volunteers, horses, and staff celebrated St. Patrick’s Day together with a little extra festive fun in and around the barn. 🌈 🌟

03/16/2026

🌼 Springtime on the trail at The Shea Center. 🐴

With warm weather, blooming flowers, and time spent with our horses, moments like these remind us how special it is to experience equine assisted services together — where clients, staff, and horses can enjoy the beauty of the season out in nature.

03/15/2026

🎉 Guess whose birthday it is…

If the signature nose wiggles didn’t give it away, it’s JJ! 🐴

Packed with personality and known for his inquisitive nature, JJ brings joy to everyone he meets at The Shea Center. This sturdy and lovable therapy horse is celebrating his 12th birthday today — likely with plenty of hay and attention!

Join us in wishing JJ a very Happy Birthday! 🎂🐴💙

03/13/2026

🎥 We were honored to welcome Koco McAboy from Good Day L.A. to The Shea Center!

During their live segments on February 26, we had the opportunity to share more about our equine assisted services, highlight the impact of our grant from The James M. Cox Foundation, and spread the word about our Drive to Ride fundraiser. 💙

We are grateful for opportunities like this to raise awareness about our mission and the incredible community that makes it possible. The work we do each day is only possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, donors, and supporters.

Watch one of the segments from the morning here: bit.ly/GoodDayLA2026 🐴

Thank you to our friends from Cox for this opportunity!

03/11/2026

The Night You’ve Been Waiting For ✨

Join us on June 20, 2026 for The Shea Center’s Annual Gala at the stunning Montage Laguna Beach — an unforgettable evening of fine dining, entertainment, and generosity that changes lives through equine assisted services. 🐴

Reserve your sponsorships, underwriting opportunities, and tickets today 💜 SheaCenter.org/Gala

03/10/2026

In 2025, the top diagnoses among individuals served at The Shea Center through equine assisted services were Autism, Genetic Syndromes, Cerebral Palsy, PTSD, and Developmental Delay.

At The Shea Center, we serve individuals with a wide range of disabilities, each with their own unique abilities and goals.

This Disability Awareness Month, we celebrate the strength and individuality of the community we serve every day. 🐴💙

03/09/2026

Reminder to all Shea Center clients, volunteers, and staff! ✨ ❤️

Don’t forget to join us and represent The Shea Center at the Swallows Day Parade on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.! Bring your energy, enthusiasm, and patience as we march, wave, and celebrate the return of the swallows to the San Juan Capistrano Mission.

❗ RSVP by March 14, 2026:

Volunteers: Taylir – tgregory@sheacenter.org

Clients: Adre – ahudgson@sheacenter.org

📍 Meet at The Shea Center – 26284 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, 92675
🪑 Seated wagon space available upon request (first come, first served).
🎽 All RSVP’d participants receive a free Shea Center Swallows Day Parade t-shirt while supplies last.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 💙🐎

03/07/2026

💚 Celebrating Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month with Finnley’s journey! ✨

Finnley, a joyful six-year-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy (hemiparesis) at 18 months, has made incredible progress over the past ten months at The Shea Center. Through physical therapy utilizing hippotherapy 🐴 she’s strengthened her left side, improved her balance, and gained confidence in both her riding and everyday activities.

Her physical therapist, Matt Mitchell, DPT, shares that Finnley has made notable improvements in balance and coordination, standing taller in the stirrups and walking more evenly on both feet.

Her parents have seen her grow in strength, mobility, and self-confidence, and she loves sharing her horseback riding experiences with everyone she knows. From riding Pixie to unmounted exercises with her buddy Tex 🐶, Finnley’s story is a reminder of how support, determination, and therapy can empower children with cerebral palsy.

Read more about Finnley’s inspiring journey here ➡️ sheacenter.org/physical-therapy-client-finnley

Address

26284 Oso Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA
92675

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19492408441

Website

http://www.sheacenter.org/

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