June 14, 2019

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon as we pulled up in the trailer to visit seniors in a lovely building in a park like setting in Joliet. In anticipation of our visit, a handful of seniors were lined up outside trying to get a first glimpse of the Merciful Minis therapy horses approaching the entryway to the retirement center.

 The automatic doors opened and the minis walked through the lobby, passed the office, and into a large room with more than twenty seniors seated in wheelchairs awaiting our visit.

 One by one Hawk and Rae stopped to visit each senior. With hands outstretched to greet the mini, seniors were able to pet each horse and engage in conversation with our teams of handlers.

 Seniors smiled as they shared experiences of their youth and their love of past animals in their lives. They were so grateful to be able to enjoy their time with the minis and as we were prepared to leave, they spontaneously began to applaud at which point the miniature horses took a bow and exited the room only to find still more seniors waiting outside for additional with our charming little minis.

 We are so grateful to our volunteers and supporters who make our visits possible. While there are many challenges in operating a miniature therapy horse program, each visit we make supports our belief that there is so much joy and reward in making connections with those in need.

 Good job, Little Minis, we are so very proud of your work!