j.f. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center

the non-profit 501(c)(3) j.f. 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. in 2001, the j.f. shea co., inc. 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