The Shea Center

Name

The Shea Center

Legal name

The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center

Website

https://sheacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy and Therapeutic Riding Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Rehabilitation Support (PT/OT Aide) (EDAOAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

OT Evaluations, Assessments & IEP/504 Planning Support (EDAKAFAM)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Hippotherapy services
• Adaptive riding programs
• Disability therapy services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Juan Capistrano

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Program Service Fees: Fees charged for therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, adaptive riding, EAL, and psychotherapy sessions. Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy billed at $150 per treatment. Psychotherapy at $150 per treatment (private). Adaptive Riding/EAL ranges from $60-90 per lesson depending on format (group unmounted, semi-private, private).
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission. Includes horse sponsorship program, client financial aid fund, and general operating support.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual BBQ & Family Faire generates approximately 20% of annual operating budget. Gala events, Drive to Ride peer-to-peer fundraiser, and silent auctions provide additional revenue.
4. Grant Funding: Foundation and corporate grants from organizations including Gary Sinese Foundation, Samueli Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, and numerous other grant donors supporting general operations and specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Shea Center delivers equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities from a single state-of-the-art facility in San Juan Capistrano, California. Core offerings include physical, occupational, and speech therapy using hippotherapy; adaptive riding and horsemanship instruction; equine-assisted learning (EAL); equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP); specialized military and veteran programs; senior programs; and a summer horse camp. Services are delivered by licensed therapists and PATH Intl.-certified riding instructors and are supported by 30 therapy horses and more than 750 volunteers.

Product overview

The Shea Center provides a unified suite of equine-assisted services organized around therapeutic riding and therapy programs. The core offerings include Therapy Services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy incorporating hippotherapy), Horsemanship/Adaptive Riding, Military and Senior Programs, Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), and Summer Horse Camp. These programs are designed for participants ages 2 and up with over 85 physical, emotional, social, and cognitive challenges, led by certified professionals including American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) specialists and PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapy Services (Physical, Occupational, Speech) Licensed physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy utilizing hippotherapy (treatment on horseback), where the rhythmic movement of the horse is used as a treatment tool for individuals with disabilities. Delivered by licensed therapists including AHCB specialists.
• Horsemanship / Adaptive Riding Therapeutic riding programs for individuals with disabilities, led by PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI), focusing on horsemanship skills and adaptive riding techniques delivered in group-unmounted, semi-private, and private formats.
• Military and Senior Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 participants served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DPR ConstructioncoreOthersLong-term construction partner led by board member Jim Washburn. Completed hay soaking station project for horse care, added concrete to shavings storage pad, and provides corporate training and education for staff. DPR's team-building exercises support facility improvements.
• Muhlhauser SteelminorOthersFabricated custom hay rack for the hay soaking station to help horses safely drain after soaking.
• Pan-Pacific MechanicalminorOthersProvided drain and plumbing services for the hay soaking station construction project.
• Sunbelt RentalsminorOthersDonated equipment including bobcat and concrete buggy for hay soaking station project.
• Holliday RockminorOthersDonated concrete for shavings storage pad improvement project.
• Irvine Valley CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce specialized EAL program for student veterans. Designed to improve quality of life, communication techniques, and self-awareness. Goals include decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills development.
• Orange County Fire AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual equine rescue training program for firefighters. Teaches skills necessary for horse rescue emergencies. Part of PATH Intl Region 11 Conference pre-conference workshop. Training curriculum provided to participants.
• Canine CompanionscoreOthersBred and trained facility dog Tex VI. Provides 6 months of professional training for facility dogs. Tex was paired with handler Matt Mitchell after completing team training.
• Nick's RestaurantsminorOthersGenerously provides appetizers and drinks for the Sponsor Saloon at Annual BBQ & Family Faire event.
• TGIS CateringminorOthersProvides delicious BBQ buffet dinner for the Annual BBQ & Family Faire event.
• SwingshiftminorOthersBBQ House Band providing live music entertainment at the Annual BBQ & Family Faire event.
• PATH Intl (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International)coreOthersGoverning body for therapeutic horseback riding. Shea Center is accredited at the highest level. Hosted 2026 Region 11 Conference with 136 attendees. PATH Intl brings together leaders and professionals from across the equine assisted services field.
• J. Serra Catholic High SchoolminorOthersProvides parking facilities for Annual BBQ & Family Faire event attendees at 26351 Junipero Serra Rd location.
• Fairmont SchoolsminorOthersProvides premium parking for Event and Diamond Sponsors at 26333 Oso Rd, San Juan Capistrano location during Annual BBQ & Family Faire.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited nonprofit in Michigan offering hippotherapy, adaptive horsemanship, and mental health services since 1970. Comparable longevity, accreditation tier, and service portfolio to Shea Center.
• Mane Stream: New Jersey nonprofit providing adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted therapy programs with PATH Intl. accreditation. Directly comparable mission and program mix; differs geographically.
• Horses for Healing: Arkansas nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding for individuals with disabilities and veterans. Comparable mission and PATH Intl. accredited operations to Shea Center.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Large Midwestern PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center serving children, adults, and veterans with disabilities through hippotherapy, adaptive riding, and mental health programs. Closely comparable operating model and nonprofit structure to Shea Center.
• Equi-librium (formerly Derbyshire Center): Pennsylvania-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving children and adults with disabilities. Comparable nonprofit structure, accreditation, and program offering to Shea Center.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Connecticut nonprofit offering hippotherapy, adaptive riding, and equine-assisted services. Comparable organizational profile, accreditation status, and service breadth.
• National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT / Willow Oaks): California-based nonprofit offering hippotherapy, adaptive riding, and equine-assisted mental health services with PATH Intl. accreditation. Directly comparable mission, service mix, and California/SoCal geographic overlap with Shea Center.

Broad incumbents

• Green Chimneys: Large, established New York nonprofit that combines equine-assisted therapy with residential special education, mental health, and animal-assisted services. Broader portfolio than Shea but operates in the same equine therapy category for children with disabilities.

Regional players

• Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy: PATH Intl. accredited equine therapy nonprofit serving Connecticut and broader Northeast. Comparable service portfolio and nonprofit model; primarily serves a different region from Shea Center.

Others

• PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International): Industry governing body that accredits Shea Center at the highest level. Not a competitor but an ecosystem participant — setting standards and certifying instructors that underpin Shea's delivery model and competitive positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheSheaCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/SheaCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheacenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/sheacenter/?hl=en
• Xx.com/thesheacenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Shea Center