Equine assisted Pet therapy

Traveling the Miles to Bring Smiles in a Big Way :

We would love to come for a visit-

Nursing and Retirement facilities, Rehabilitation centers, Hospice patients, Children’s clinics, School’s and Libraries.

Call 520-400-7426

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 Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls- they give us hope!
Toni Robinson
Presentations:  Excellent way to learn about horses and get to get up close and pet them.
 A star is born…JJ in a commercial:)
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November Peppis

 

 

     

 

He’s like no Shetland pony that I’ve ever known. Mosey walked into the courtyard at Peppi’s House. A door opened and three people came out to greet and meet our four legged therapist. After Mosey enjoyed some time with them he turned to go inside the room and was stopped by a horseman who began telling us of his years of being a Marshal for the Tucson rodeo parade. Mosey politely stood for a bit allowing the man to pet him but then Mosey began to get impatient and started to nudge the man with his head. The man continued to talk and Mosey continued to nudge. The family finally told the man to move and let Mosey come in. The man took a step to the side and our little therapist walked in leaving me outside holding his still attached lead line. Mosey walked up next to a woman who was bent over the bed holding the hand of the patient. Mosey lifted his head up and over the rail and placed his muzzle on the bed next to the patients body and closed his eyes. Everyone was in Aw. The man who had stepped to the side and let Mosey in kept saying, I’ve never seen anything like this. He’s like no Shetland I’ve ever met or owned. Like no other…

Mosey brought Smiles and comforted hearts @TMC pediatrics, Peppi’s House and Diamond Children’s hospital

(wtkr.com)https://tmcaznews.com/2017/04/28/national-volunteer-week-tmc-volunteer-receives-prestigious-award/
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Her eyes were bright,
Her energy glowed,
From this little 40lb body her love flowed.
TMC’s Childlife Specialist told us that her little patient couldn’t count down the days fast enough.
For she was going to be able to meet, pet and ride a “Real” pony.
Little Miss Happy Go Lucky with her hair beginning to grow back, her IV trailing behind, and a colostomy bag peaking out from under her hospital gown was So full of Life, questions and Smiles for her new furry friends.  Moments shared from one of our visits to TMC pediatrics.

JJ Matthews inside 2022

A blessed day for a walk, a pet and a Smile:)

Our visits today began with TMC pediatrics..Buddy was lead down the sidewalk by a little boy while our Dillon pony was rode by one VERY happy little girl.  Sunshine and a smile!

 

 

Our next stop brought us to the Childrens Clinic..Walking Buddy along side of her chair was just as much fun as riding Mosey the pony a few years ago.

 

 

 

 Buddy brought “blessing” and smiles for everyone at Peppis House

 

She may have wanted to ride Dillon pony and walk Buddy but today she was just glad to be able to pet and take in the love these two little guys had to offer. Diamond Childrens

Pirate Ponies out on their adventures

Our adventurous Pirate ponies, Captain Dill and his mate, Slick Snick traveled the high heat to four different far away places in search of treasures.

Visits included:
Tucson Medical Center’s Pediatrics
Square and Compass Children’s Clinic
Peppis House Hospice
Diamond Children’s Medical Center

 

And treasures they did find. Colorful gems, I love yous and SMILES…arr matey!

A note from Eva’s Mom

 
 
 
 
Dear Nancie, Karen, George and volunteers of Step Up Into T.L.C.,

Eva’s first pony ride!

In April my 3 year old daughter Eva and I stayed at Peppi’s house, anticipating an overnight stay she would be having the following week. While we were at Peppi’s house, you allowed Eva to ride one of your pony’s, something I never thought imaginable! That was a wonderful and emotional day for me, for a moment my child was normal and healthy on that horse! On June 15 at 6 am, our Eva left us to take her place in heaven, it has been a difficult and lonely road for me and for our family, but as I work through my emotions and particularly as I look to find comfort, I remember that Eva enjoyed the short life she had. Eva knew love, Eva knew joy and your program and your horses were part of that!! Please relay this message to the volunteers, I am eternally grateful for the experience Eva had that Wednesday in April at Peppi’s house!

Sincerely, Gabriela Diaz Pena

www.joseandgabby.blogspot.com

   
   

A presentation, photos and pets at the Bear Canyon Library on Tuesday 7/10/12

We were greeted by an eager crowd. Ready to learn about JJ, Dillon and Sir Snickers. After the presentation everyone was asked to line up  so they could come up and pet each of our quiet horses and have photos taken.

I gave the presentation while volunteer Don Hendrix held JJ.
JJ is 8 years old, stands 17.2 hands tall and weighs approx. 1800 lbs
He eats about 50 lbs of food a day (and the children corrected me when I asked if he ate hamburgers?) and drinks about 30 gallons of ….yes- Water a day!

A blessing is: a volunteer who loves sharing smiles!
Diane Rockhill shares Dillon with the children and their families.

Volunteer Sherry Harris Hardy helps with making special moments.
Sharing her love for horses and SIr Snickers!

Just as we were getting ready to load JJ into his trailer a very upset woman asked if her elderly father could meet and pet our “Gentle Giant”. They had missed the presentation at the library and were very disappointed. Volunteer Diane stepped up to the job..parking lot pets and Smiles!

“Hey Snicks, we sure did have a nice time in the city today but there’s no place like home. Race ya back to the barn”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smiling on the Inside :)

Dillon our pony and Elliott, Jill Bemis’ therapy dog and friend.

Our surprise visit on Thursday June 27, 2012 brought a lot of smiles on the inside and out. Tucson Medical Center Pediatrics, Square and Compass Children’s Clinic and Peppis House (hospice) always welcomes us with open arms no matter what day or time it is.
Dillon gave his usual saddle rides while Sir Snicker was led by many children who had never walked a horse before.
It felt like a real dog and pony show at the Clinic. Our two boys shared the spot light and attention with a couple of therapy dogs, Elliott and Molly, and believe me there were plenty of smiles to go around.

Peppis House started with a smorgasbord of apples, watermelon, grapes, a special staff and three children. The children were new to feeding and petting horses. Although they were willing to learn and kept feeding after the first couple of treats their little faces showed no emotion. At first I wasn’t sure if they were enjoying themselves but after observing them for a few more moments I believed their actions spoke for them selves. The smiles had to be on the inside—for sure!
In our last room at Peppis House our team George Roach, Sir Snickers, Tonja Mize, Dillon and myself took a step back in time. We heard about a young couple who at the age of 16 and 18 married. Not because they had to but because they wanted to. They were in love. A love that carried them through 63 years. He talked about her life as he stroked her face. He smiled and said I like to talk about my honey, can you tell? He thanked us for bringing in the horses. He said she had horses of her own when she was young. He felt she was very aware of Dillon and Snickers’ presence and although we couldn’t see it, he assured us that she was smiling on the inside:)

Where’s Sir Snickers?

 

 

The question rang through the hall at Diamond Children’s Hospital on Monday June 25, 2012.   Buddy stepped up and into Sir Snickers sneakers and with his Darth Vader costume he road the elevator for his first time in search of his Princess Leas’, Luke Skywalkers’ and Smiles.   

Woke up and smiled at Buddy-ah!