A Heartwarming Encounter with Miniature Horses
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, a smile spreads across the little girl’s face as she inches her wheelchair forward. Blinking behind her glasses, nine-year-old Josifina Topa Mazuch gently reaches out to stroke the tiny grey horse Ivi. Soon, Josifina is beaming as she leads Ivi, a specially trained miniature horse, through the school hallway in Athens.
‘I really want them to come again,’ Josifina shares, reflecting on her experience after a visit from Ivi and another horse named Calypso to her primary school for children with special needs. ‘They made me feel really happy.’
The Gentle Carousel Greece Initiative
Ivi and Calypso are part of a unique therapeutic program provided by Gentle Carousel Greece, an offshoot of the US-based charity Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. This initiative brings joy to individuals in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and care facilities throughout Greece.
The horses, standing about 75 centimeters (30 inches) tall, have undergone extensive training to work comfortably in confined environments and interact with vulnerable groups. They provide a form of pet therapy that is especially valuable for those who often lack social and interactive experiences, such as hospital patients and care home residents.
A Struggle to Sustain the Charity
Despite the positive impact these visits have on participants’ lives, Gentle Carousel Greece faces significant challenges. The charity is managed by a single individual who funds the entire operation herself, alongside one assistant, with no additional support team.
This heroic effort to bring comfort and companionship to those in need is commendable, yet the charity is struggling to make ends meet. Nonetheless, the smiles brought to the faces of children like Josifina serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of pet therapy in promoting emotional well-being.
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