Shea Center 2016 Annual BBQ

Veteran Kevin Whitney, suffered a spinal cord injury from a parachuting accident. Kevin was the featured rider for the evening.

 

Every year the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano holds an annual BBQ fundraiser.  The Shea Center is a non-profit organization that provides equestrian therapy for people who have diverse complications from physical limitations to severe autism.

“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 and 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 and self-esteem, and a greater sense of independence.

This years annual BBQ was a tremendous success due to the hard work of the center volunteers and the Support of the Montage Hotel and many caring and thoughtful local businesses that contribute to the silent auction and provide services for this worthy cause”.

I had a great time attending this most uplifting local event!  Below are some images from the BBQ.  As always, the Shea Center accepts and deeply appreciates donations large and small!  Get involved today at the http://www.sheacenter.org

 

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