Mission

The Shea Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in historic San Juan Capistrano, CA, has been supporting people with disabilities through equestrian assisted activities for 45 years. Our mission, to improve the lives of people with disabilities through horse-related programs, has grown from one horse and one rider in 1978 to currently serving more than 800 clients with the help of over 200 volunteers a week. The Shea Center’s core services are physical & occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and adaptive riding. Other programs include Military & Veteran Programs, summer camps, and field trips for local schools. The Center serves children and adults with current clients ranging in age from 2 to 89. Over 65 different diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and genetic disorders, are treated by their professional staff of therapists and certified adaptive riding instructors who design individual treatment plans tailored to suit each client’s needs and abilities. For more information or if you are interested in donating, becoming a volunteer or enrolling as a client, please visit SheaCenter.org.