Photos courtesy of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses.
Gainesville, FL (February 22, 2014) — Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses has received a national honor with the induction of therapy horse Magic into the United States Equestrian Federation and EQUUS Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame for 2015. Magic was inducted at the EQUUS Foundation’s Fete Coeval Etoile on Friday, February 20 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. The Horse Stars Hall of Fame was established by the USEF and EQUUS Foundation to celebrate the extraordinary talent of horses and their magical and powerful bond with people.
Magic was honored as a humanitarian for having a life changing and inspirational impact on the public. From helping children and first responders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT to child trafficking victims in Washington, D.C. and tornado survivors in Moore, OK, Magic brings her special love where it is needed most. She visits children’s hospitals across the country.
When Magic is not traveling she has a one of a kind partnership with the University of Florida Health Shands Rehab Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, an acute hospital for patients who have suffered strokes, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and burns. Magic works with occupational, speech and physical therapists as part of the treatment team. She has inspired patients in the therapy gym to reach out their arms for the first time and helped patients who are learning how to use adaptive equipment like walkers and wheelchairs. She even demonstrates rehab training stairs and ramps. Magic has worked with patients who have stood or walked for the very first time since their accidents or surgeries. Therapists have seen exceptional progress and motivation with patients teamed with the little horse.
The inductees were featured in a video and photo gallery accompanied by stories of their achievements.
Owners of the honored horses arrived from around the country. Therapy horse Magic attended the ceremony and met with fans and guests indoors during dinner and events. She also played with Harry de Leyer, owner and trainer of the famous Snowman (Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse Who Inspired a Nation) after the ceremony. Both Magic and Snowman were inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame. “I will never forget you, Magic,” Mr. de Leyer told the little horse.
Magic’s other honors include:
One of History’s 10 Most Courageous Animals – Time Magazine
Most Heroic Pet in America – AARP
A Reader’s Digest/Americantowns Power of One Hero
One of the 10 Most Heroic Animals of 2010 – Newsweek/The Daily Beast
2014 Winner of the E. T. York Distinguished Service Award
A children’s park in Greece named after Magic and dedicated by former Prime Minister of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis
One of Seven Most Notable Animal Heroes in the World – UK’s The Daily Mirror 2014
Featured in 125 True Stories of Amazing Pets – National Geographic Kids 2014
Featured in her own book, The Power of Magic – DT Publishing Group/New York, 2014
Magic and Gentle Carousel partner Hamlet immortalized with their own 2014 Breyer Portrait Horse Models.
For more information about Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses:
www.facebook.com/therapyhorses
www.horse-therapy.org