Mini therapy horses visit patients at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

BARRINGTON – Two miniature therapy horses visited Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington on Dec. 13 to bring joy to patients.

Arriving in a van and sporting custom footwear, Charmer and Lunar from the SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program in Barrington stopped by the hospital to brighten the day of patients in the oncology unit.

“It is a unique opportunity for our patients to receive comfort from mini therapy horses,” Karen Lambert, president of Advocate Health Care’s North Illinois Area and Advocate Good Shepherd, said in a news release. “We are grateful to SOUL Harbour Ranch for the healing impact their horses have on our patients and for the smiles they bring to our team.”

Therapy animals have been shown to greatly enhance mental and emotional well-being by offering comfort, alleviating stress and anxiety, encouraging social interaction and providing a sense of companionship.

“Charmer came right over to me. She was so gentle and seemed to enjoy the petting,” one patient said. “She was a pleasant surprise to my day. I’ve been anxious today and she calmed me down.”

While therapy dogs have been welcomed at health care facilities for many years, the addition of mini therapy horses is relatively recent. Each mini horse goes through an extensive training program and test before they are certified as a therapy animal.

“Horses are known to be very intuitive. They can sense and respond to human emotions, which is what makes them great healers,” said Jodie Diegel, founder and president of SOUL Harbour Ranch. “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, allowing our therapy animals to impact the lives of the patients and staff that we visit every month.”