A non-profit group in Greece uses small horses to provide pet therapy to sick and disabled people. But the organization is now considering its future after facing financial difficulties.
The Associated Press (AP) recently met members of the group, called Gentle Carousel Greece. The animals are brought to hospitals and care centers to give joy to the sick or those suffering physical limitations.
The horses are bred as miniature animals and stand about 72 centimeters tall. They are specially trained to provide comfort to disabled children, sick people, or older adults.
One of the horses was recently brought to a school outside Athens for children with special needs. At the school, nine-year-old Josifina Topa Mazuch seemed drawn to a small, gray horse. She ended up leading the animal down a school hallway.
The horse, named Ivy, stood no taller than the girl’s pink wheelchair. “I really want them to come again,” Josifina told the AP about Ivy and another visiting horse, Calypso. “They made me feel really happy,” she added.
Ivy and Calypso are two of nine miniature horses provided by the non-profit group. The organization is linked to an American group called Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. The U.S. group is based in Ocala, Florida.
The organization said the horses complete at least two years of training. They are taught how to work in confined environments with children and adults with special health needs. Caregivers say the horses provide a form of pet therapy that offers valuable social interactions and new learning experiences.
But the leader of the Greek organization says her group has been financially struggling in recent years. Gentle Carousel Greece is run by 68-year-old Mina Karagianni. She said she now performs most of the group’s duties herself. Karagianni also finances the group and cares for the nine miniature horses, mostly by herself.
Karagianni also told the AP she learned about the Florida-based organization over the internet while she was searching for information on a pony she had rescued. After learning about the group’s activities, she got the idea to start her own operation.
“I was touched and I was moved, and I said: ‘OK, we have to bring this to Greece,’” Karagianni said. So, she decided to make changes to her land to be able to care for the horses. She said she turned her property into what she calls a “Magic Garden.” She has everything she needs to care for the horses. She also runs a small restaurant and party area.
Karagianni launched her Greek group in 2014. She said the organization has served about 12,000 children since it began until the pandemic led to restrictions in 2020.
The pandemic caused financial pressures and Karagianni herself faced a medical problem that hurt her ability to run the group. “I’m just starting to get myself back together again now,” she told the AP. “With a lot of financial difficulties. But what can I do? I’m trying.”
Karagianni said she had contacted businesses and non-profit groups about financial help but has not been successful. She plans to continue to seek help. “I’m making super-human efforts,” Karagianni said. “I’m doing what I can. But I can’t do it alone,” she added.
Karagianni said she keeps going because she sees the great benefits the children and adults receive from the animals.
At the special needs school, teacher Eleni Volikaki said she sees “incredible” reactions from the children. “It’s like something awakens their senses.” Volikaki noted the horses can often get students to make more progress than with other therapy methods.
“We saw things we didn’t expect,” she said. “We saw children with autism, or children who are generally afraid of animals, coming very close, letting the (horses) get close to them.” Volikaki added.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.
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Words in This Story
therapy – n. the work of treating mental or physical illness without using drugs or a medical operation
miniature – n. extremely small
confine – v. to prevent something from leaving a place or to prevent from spreading
benefit – n. something good that helps you or gives a person an advantage
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