A team of miniature therapy horses in Greece is bringing happiness and support to children, the elderly, and those in care homes, despite facing ongoing financial difficulties. These miniature horses, measuring just 75 centimetres tall, are owned by Gentle Carousel Greece, a branch of a Florida-based charity founded in 2014. The charity provides psychological support to vulnerable individuals in various settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, oncology units, and hospices. These horses have been trained over two years to effectively provide therapy and support to those in need, with tangible results reported.
The miniature horses, including six American miniature horses, one born in Greece, and two rescued ponies, Billy and Giselle, are crucial in bringing joy and strength to individuals facing difficulties or fear. They are taken to various places such as psychiatric care homes, schools for children with special needs, and other facilities to interact with residents and provide therapy. The interactions between the horses and individuals have proven to be invaluable, with residents expressing positive experiences and feelings of happiness and comfort after meeting the miniature horses.
However, despite the positive impact these miniature therapy horses have had on the community, the charity is currently struggling to sustain its operations due to financial challenges. Before the pandemic, the founder financed the charity through a small cafe near the stables that hosted children’s parties and baptisms. However, the closure of the cafe during lockdown has significantly affected the charity’s finances. Additionally, personal health problems have added to the financial strain, leading to issues such as utilities being cut off. Despite unsuccessful attempts at securing funding from companies and institutions, the charity continues to provide its vital services to the community.
As the founder struggles to keep the charity afloat, she hopes for financial support to ensure the sustainability and expansion of the therapy horse program in Greece. Her primary wish for Christmas is to receive the necessary funding to continue providing support and happiness to vulnerable individuals in the community. The impact of the miniature therapy horses on children, the elderly, and those in care homes has been significant, with many individuals expressing feelings of joy, comfort, and happiness after interacting with the horses. The charity’s focus on providing psychological support through these therapy horses has yielded positive and tangible results, making it an essential service in the community.
The miniature therapy horses, owned by Gentle Carousel Greece, have been trained to effectively provide support to vulnerable individuals, including those in nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. The interactions between the miniature horses and residents have proven to be therapeutic, with many expressing feelings of love, happiness, and comfort after meeting the horses. Despite facing financial challenges due to the closure of a cafe that helped fund the charity, the founder remains committed to providing these vital services to the community. Without financial support, the future of the therapy horse program in Greece remains uncertain, posing a threat to the well-being of the individuals who benefit from these interactions.
