Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses is a Florida-based organization that visits hospitals and schools using miniature therapy horses.
Sweetheart, an 8-year-old miniature therapy horse, clopped down the sidewalk recently, providing an uncommon sight to Trinity Springs residents.
Sweetheart is a therapy horse with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an Ocala-based organization that tours the country to assist others.
Sweetheart did laps around the two dozen people of Trinity Springs, an Oxford assisted living and memory care complex. Residents petted the horse, which would periodically swish her tail or nicker.
Sweetheart was led on by the founder, Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, her white mane hanging over one side of her neck.
“She’s great with everyone. She knows to be gentle and walk slowly in front of everyone so they can touch her,” he said.
People open up around the therapeutic horses, according to Debbie Garcia-Bengochea, the organization’s education director.
“This is our 25th year, and the horses have helped people during incredibly traumatic moments,” she said. “We were there at Sandy Hook and Pulse in Orlando. They have a calming, healing presence.”
Sweetheart has shared countless great milestones with individuals, according to Debbie, because she visits a variety of groups, including veterans, children and hospital patients.
Sweetheart has accompanied patients on their healing journeys as they took their first steps or said their first words.
When one of the women, who was completely mute, saw the picture, she gasped. “A horse, a horse!” they exclaim.
The Gentle Carousel is one of the world’s largest equine therapy programs, with teams of miniature horses visiting over 25,000 individuals every year.
The horses only serve two days a week and spend the rest of their time with the same herd at their home base.
Horses are sociable creatures that require the same social bonds and interactions as humans, which is why they always return to be with one another.
Residents’ cheeks brightened up when Sweetheart slid her head under their palms. Everyone received a handmade plush animal horse made by members of Operation Shoebox to take home.
“We always want to make sure the people we visit have the best experience,” Debbie said.