J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center

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.
(203)

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.

💚 Intern Spotlight: Makenna Allen! Since joining The Shea Center in July, Makenna has brought warmth, curiosity, and ded...
11/07/2025

💚 Intern Spotlight: Makenna Allen! Since joining The Shea Center in July, Makenna has brought warmth, curiosity, and dedication while completing her final term in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at Stanbridge University.

With a passion for helping others reach their fullest potential, Makenna immersed herself in our occupational therapy program utilizing hippotherapy, learning from our therapists, instructors, and clients every step of the way.

“It has truly been an honor to contribute to a space where individuals are provided the opportunity to grow, adapt, and excel,” Makenna shared.

Missy Braun, Occupational Therapist at The Shea Center, added: “During her time here, Makenna has grown so much in her understanding of the sensory needs of our clients and how to meet these to help them continue working toward independence and skill development. Makenna’s ability to turn hard work into play has greatly helped her clients stay motivated and willing to participate.”

Thank you, Makenna, for sharing your compassion, positivity, and talent with The Shea Center community. We’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what’s next on your OT journey! 🌟🐴

It’s that time again! 🌟 The Capistrano Dispatch "Best of San Juan Capistrano" People's Choice Horseshoe Awards are open ...
11/06/2025

It’s that time again! 🌟 The Capistrano Dispatch "Best of San Juan Capistrano" People's Choice Horseshoe Awards are open for voting, and we’d love your support!

Last year, The Shea Center took home:
🥇 Gold for Best Local Nonprofit and Best Horse Training
🥈 Silver for Best Camp for Kids

With your help, we can do it again! 💚

Vote for The Shea Center in:
🏆 Best Local Nonprofit Organization
🏆 Best Horse Training
🏆 Best Camp for Kids
🏆 Best Local Annual Event (for our BBQ!)
🏆 Best Riding Lesson
🏆 Best Stable

Your vote helps us continue changing lives through the healing power of the horse. 🐴✨

👉 Cast your vote here: surveymonkey.com/r/BestofSanJuanCapistrano2025

11/05/2025

💚 Join Our Volunteer Team and Make an Impact!

Our volunteers bring joy, encouragement, and support to clients through —and you can too! 🐴✨

No horse experience? No problem. Just bring your heart, energy, and willingness to help others thrive. Every smile, high-five, and moment of encouragement makes a lasting impact.

📅 Sign up today: SheaCenter.org/volunteer

🎥: onomichi.studio

Drumroll please… 🥁 Our 2025 Costume Contest winners are here! 🎉We loved seeing the creativity, teamwork, and Halloween s...
11/04/2025

Drumroll please… 🥁 Our 2025 Costume Contest winners are here! 🎉

We loved seeing the creativity, teamwork, and Halloween spirit shine through each costume.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:
🐛 Champions: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
🌈 Reserve Champions: Wizard of Oz / Wicked
👯 Best Pair: Christina & Pixie
😱 Scariest: Leeanna & Bella
⭐ Standout: Dana
🐴 Most Original: Kelli & Easy
🎨 Most Creative: Kristiana
🧙🏼‍♀️ Most Colorful: Nichole
😎 Coolest: Randi & Finn

A huge thank you to our incredible staff, our amazing judging panel, and our talented guest photographer for making this year’s celebration unforgettable! 💚✨

11/03/2025

The competition was fierce and the creativity unmatched! 👏✨

Our Shea staff teams brought their A-game to this year’s costume contest—can you guess who took home the top prizes? 🏆👻

Drop your guesses below, and stay tuned tomorrow for the big reveal! 🎉

Our therapy horse, Romeo, will be taking a six-month sabbatical with friends of The Shea Center! 🐴💛 Enjoy your time off,...
11/01/2025

Our therapy horse, Romeo, will be taking a six-month sabbatical with friends of The Shea Center! 🐴💛

Enjoy your time off, Romeo — we’ll see you soon!

Happy Halloween from all of us at The Shea Center! 🎃👻Here’s to a day of awesome costumes, spooky fun, sweet treats, and ...
10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from all of us at The Shea Center! 🎃👻

Here’s to a day of awesome costumes, spooky fun, sweet treats, and memorable moments!

Stay tuned next week for the reveal of our staff costume contest—you won’t want to miss it! ✨👏

The votes are in for our annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest! 🎃Congratulations to our winners:🥇 Stitch (Ohana means Shea)🥈...
10/31/2025

The votes are in for our annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest! 🎃

Congratulations to our winners:
🥇 Stitch (Ohana means Shea)
🥈 Baxter
🥉 SpongeBob & Donut (Sweet Treat)

Thank you to all who participated — your creativity and community spirit make The Shea Center such a special place. 💛🐴

Inclusivity Tip💡: Begin with awareness. Take a moment to ask or learn how people prefer to participate or communicate, a...
10/29/2025

Inclusivity Tip💡: Begin with awareness.

Take a moment to ask or learn how people prefer to participate or communicate, and create space for everyone’s needs and abilities. 🧡

Small adjustments—like patience, encouragement, and support—can make a big difference in helping every individual feel welcome and valued. 🌟

What a wonderful evening! 🌟 Last week, we gathered for our Annual Gratitude Reception to celebrate and thank our incredi...
10/28/2025

What a wonderful evening! 🌟 Last week, we gathered for our Annual Gratitude Reception to celebrate and thank our incredible donors.

Our hearts are full as we reflect on an evening of connection, inspiring client stories, barn visits, and heartfelt appreciation for all who make our mission possible. 💛

Thank you for helping us change lives through equine assisted services.

Celebrating the growth, connection, and joy we witness every day in lessons like this one. 💜October is  , and at The She...
10/27/2025

Celebrating the growth, connection, and joy we witness every day in lessons like this one. 💜

October is , and at The Shea Center, we’re proud to support awareness, inclusion, and the incredible individuals we serve.

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to J F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram