Little Bit
Posted by Patti on January 25th, 2007 / Print This Post
A different kind of activity for sure!
CALICO ROCK— Lois Wehrer’s eyes widen at the sight of a new visitor. She extends her aging hands and grins at the feel of soft fur. It’s one of the few times the 90-year-old smiles.The woman’s joy comes from a 3-year-old miniature horse named Little Bit.
“He’s so cute,” she said as Little Bit thoroughly licks her hands, hoping Wehrer might be hiding carrots.
The little brown horse with black mane is proving therapy isn’t just for dogs.
Little Bit visits nursing homes four to five times a year to brighten the day of residents. The idea for miniature horse therapy came about when White River Healthcare’s Julie Lawton, who plans activities for the 91-bed facility, asked Little Bit’s owners, Jim and Vera Reeves of Norfork, to bring the horse to the nursing home.
Vera Reeves said residents laugh, smile and sometimes even cry when Little Bit makes an appearance.
“They just love to see him,” she said. “Some are afraid to touch him, but most of them like to pet him.”
Pauline Pinkston woke up from a nap Friday to find Little Bit nuzzling her hand. The former horsewoman, who rode her first horse when she was 2 years old, said petting Little Bit was the highlight of her day.
“That’s the prettiest horse I’ve ever seen,” she said.
Georgia Rand couldn’t help but laugh at the clicking sound of Little Bit’s hooves on the tiled floor.
“Hey there,” she said, addressing Little Bit. “You’re a good horse.”
The Reeveses said they plan to continue to use Little Bit as a therapy horse. They also may train some of their other miniature horses for the job.
“We just love it so much that we keep bringing (Little Bit) back,” Jim Reeves said.
White River Healthcare resident Ophelia Davis said she is glad the Reeveses brought Little Bit for a visit, although she was surprised to see the miniature horse in her room.
“How in the world did you get it in the house?” she asked. “I’ve never had a horse in my room before. If I did, I didn’t know it.”
Neat idea!
February 15th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I am currently a Medical Assistant student at Souther State Community College in southern Ohio. I am researching the use of miniature horses as use for service animal for an English paper. I would like more information relating to this article. I own a miniature and am fascinated by her gentlness and intelligence. Any help on my research is greatly apprieciated.
Thank You,
Samuel Hinton
February 16th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Samuel you need to contact the nursing home cited in the article. I can’t help with that…find the name and call the BBB of the community the facility is located in…ask to speak to the Activity Director.
It sounds like an awesome program.
Good luck.