Two adorable miniature therapy horses recently brightened the day for seniors at a Manhattan-based assisted living community.
On Oct. 21, HorseAbility — a Long Island nonprofit — visited Sunrise at East 56th, an Upper East Side senior living facility. During the visit, the miniature horses offered “comfort, joy, and meaningful interactions,” according to a press release.
The team brought along two ponies, 17-year-old Pearl and 15-year-old Aiden, who emerged from their hay-filled van and made their way through the streets of New York City.
“Their visit brought immense happiness and comfort to residents, many of whom fondly reminisced about their own experiences riding or spending time with horses as children,” the organization said. “The experience proved especially meaningful for those coping with anxiety, depression or loneliness.”
They added that one resident was moved to tears by the joy the ponies provided.
Residents spent time petting and interacting with Pearl and Aiden both indoors and outside on the facility’s balcony. The ponies remained calm and gentle as seniors stroked their heads and backs.
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“It just makes me feel so calm. It makes me feel better,” resident Joann Girsh told local outlet PIX 11. “I was just touched by this animal, and I want to cry because it gives me hope that there are good things in this world. I truly love this animal.”
Dani Green, executive director of Sunrise at East 56th, told the outlet, “It’s amazing. It reduces anxiety, stress. We’re not just here to do Juilliard concerts every day. Pony therapy is a step above puppy therapy.”
According to HorseAbility’s website, their Miniature Horse Companion Therapy Visitation Program “can help children and adults with special needs as well as seniors improve their physical, emotional and social well being.”
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“Our team of miniature therapy horses are similar to their full size equine partners in terms of personality, intelligence and disposition,” the organization explained. “With their calm, patient demeanor and willingness to interact with persons of all ages and abilities, our miniature horses consistently bring smiles to the faces of everyone they meet.”
Beyond their miniature horse program, HorseAbility provides a range of Equine Assisted Services focused on therapy, recreation, sport, education, and wellness. Their trained instructors design lessons that incorporate riding, driving, or ground-based activities such as grooming, handling, leading, and observation.
