Cade, diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and later left partially paralyzed by a stroke, began therapeutic horseback riding at the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center at age five. Initially seeing it as fun rather than therapy, Cade has ridden weekly for 15 years, benefiting from the horse’s natural gait that mimics human walking and provides critical motor pattern retraining through thousands of repetitions per session. Beyond physical rehabilitation, the center has fostered Cade’s emotional growth and independence, helping him advocate for himself and build confidence, which he now shares publicly as a motivational speaker.

The Shea Center, serving over 1,200 clients annually with diverse diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy, and PTSD, emphasizes a motivating, outdoor environment that contrasts traditional therapy. Supported by volunteers and recent funding to modernize communications, the nonprofit focuses on reducing administrative burdens to enhance client care. For Cade and his family, the center is more than therapy—it is a peaceful, supportive community that has witnessed and contributed to his long-term progress and resilience.