For more delicious news, go to www.GoodNewsGoodPlanet.com, and scroll to bottom for more ways to find the feel good stuff!*
PONY THERAPY
Growing old can be difficult and frightening, especially for those experiencing Alzheimer’s or dementia. In parts of Scotland a roving band of Shetland ponies is soothing those fears and spreading the love to the elderly who need it most.
Therapy Ponies Scotland is run by Elaine and John Sangster.
Together with their herd of 15 adorable miniature horses, they travel to nursing homes across the country to provide therapy for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The effect the ponies have on these patients is profound. The ponies help stimulate conversation and social interaction amongst their participants. Their soft fur and loveable cuddles inspire a sense of child-like wonder for the patients that caregivers are reporting has a lasting impact on even the most withdrawn of residents.
Equine therapy is not a new notion however, these Shetland ponies can go where most horses cannot—straight into a patient’s room. With an average shoulder height of just 40 inches, they’ll even take an elevator to get there.
All the therapy ponies have undergone vigorous training to ensure their excellent behavior. And their coats are just as well-groomed as their manners. To prepare for their visits, each pony is brushed to be “teddy-bear soft” and sweet smelling. Through touch, sight and just unconditional love the ponies bring out the best in the most stoic of patients.
Caregivers and families are astounded to see their aging loved ones, who have often been silent and withdrawn for weeks, strike up a conversation with the handlers, often reminiscing about past experiences they’ve had with horses.
When asked what kind of therapy the ponies provide, Elaine Sangster simply says, “We bring in the ponies and they make you smile. There is no better therapy than that.”
*Hungry for more of the Good Stuff? Search "Good News Good Planet" on YouTube, Instagram, Patreon, Alexa and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
