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A shy smile spreads across 9-year-old Josifina’s face as she strokes a tiny gray horse. Sitting in her wheelchair, she beams while guiding the miniature horse, no taller than her seat, down her school hallway.
“I want them to come back,” Josifina says after the visit to her Athens special needs school. “They made me so happy.”
These miniature horses are part of a unique therapy initiative, offering comfort and joy to children and adults in hospitals, care homes, and rehabilitation centers. Standing just 30 inches tall, the horses undergo two years of training to safely interact with vulnerable people. Despite their incredible impact, the program that supports them faces serious financial challenges.
A dream becomes reality
The therapy horse program in Greece was founded in 2014 by Mina Karagianni, an architect inspired by similar work abroad. She worked tirelessly to bring six trained miniature horses overseas and later added a rescued pony and a locally born horse, growing the herd to eight.
Karagianni converted her family property near Athens into a sanctuary called Magic Garden, complete with stables, a paddock, a café, and event spaces. Public visits and small entry fees once helped cover costs like food, bedding, and veterinary care. Before the pandemic, the program reached around 12,000 children.
Pandemic challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Karagianni to close the café, cutting off a critical funding source. A prolonged personal health issue further strained her ability to manage the operation, leaving debts to pile up.
At one point, water and electricity were cut off. Though services have been restored, Karagianni still faces financial struggles and works mostly alone to keep the program afloat.
“I’m doing everything I can,” she says, “but it’s too much for one person. I need support to continue.”
Transformative encounters
The horses have a profound impact, particularly on children with disabilities. During a visit to an Athens school, children in wheelchairs reached out to touch, lead, and even kiss the miniature horses. Teachers were amazed by spontaneous gestures from children who were usually hesitant around animals.
“It’s like their senses awaken,” one teacher explains. For children with limited mobility or communication, small actions like petting a horse are meaningful milestones.
Adults in care homes also benefit. At a psychiatric facility near Athens, residents interacted with a miniature horse, some eagerly and others more cautiously.
“These moments provide a safe, non-threatening way to form bonds,” says a social worker. Residents described feeling peaceful and calm after the visit, with some expressing how much they missed the horse once it left.
A hopeful future
Despite immense challenges, Karagianni remains determined to continue her work. She hopes to find sponsors or partners to secure the program’s future.
“These horses bring something truly special,” she says. “I can’t let that go—but I need help.”
With support, these miniature therapy horses could continue to bring joy and healing to thousands more in need.
With information from AP.
