b'FEATUREMENTAL HEALTHLittle Horses,Big ImpactNonprofit UsesMiniature Horses for Comfort and Therapy in Hospitals and Schoolsby REBEKAH PIERCEphotos provided by MARY ROSE GULLETI ts not every day you see a horse trottingherfamily,shefoundHoney.Weboughtappreciated the value of her program, the through the halls of a hospital. But for pa- Honey for my daughters second birthday.true purpose of her mission became clear tients at Lakeland Regional Health, HoneysInitially,weonlyboughther[as]afamilyduring an early visit to a senior care facility. visits are a reminder that healing can comepet.AfriendnoticedHoneysremarkablyHere, Gullet met a woman with dementia in unexpected forms. sweetandcalmtemperament,suggestingwhobegansharingvividstoriesfromher Honey is a miniature therapy horse owned byshecouldbeatherapyanimal.Inspired,past, sparked by Honeys presence. As Gullet Mary Rose Gullet, the president and founderGullet pursued the process of getting Honeywasleaving,anotherwomanapproached of Honeys Mini Therapy Adventures. Alongcertified, just like you might a therapy dog. with tears in her eyes. It was the patients with a crew of other miniature horses, thisHoney began by visiting nursing homes, butdaughter.beloved equine brings comfort, joy, and agetting that first foot (or really, hoof) in theShe said, You dont understand. You have one-of-a-kind form of therapy to people indoor wasnt easy.given me a gift I have not had in five years. hospitals, schools, and first responder unitsSome people thought that I was clinicallyI got to see my mom today. My mom said across Florida. What first started as a pet forinsane, that I wanted to bring a horse inside,she loved me, I overheard stories I grew up Gullets daughter has now blossomed into aGulletrecalls.Butthepositivereactionsmy entire life listening to. My mom doesnt nonprofit organization thats changing lives,wereimmediate.Theprogramexpandedeven know Im standing here in this room, one tiny hoofprint at a time. organicallyasnursesandstaffspread Gullet recounts, the emotion still palpable. A life with horses was always part of Gulletstheword,andsoonworkwithhospiceShe made me promise Id never ever stop plan, but this wasnt quite exactly what shevolunteersopeneddoorstohospitals,doing those visits.had in mind.includingasignificantpartnershipwithIt was a promise Gullet took to heart. We were originally raising foundation quarterLakeland Regional Health. I immediately knew that the horse made a horses.Thatwasmydream,sheshares.A WITNESS TO THE MAGIC difference in that persons day, and helped Later, in seeking out gentler companions forWhileGullethasalwaysrecognizedandher remember things she doesnt remember 14 | CFHN centralfloridahealthnews.com'