Meet Winnie: Alabama’s first mobile miniature therapy horse
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A tiny horse with a big mission is making history in Alabama.
Meet Winnie, the state’s first miniature therapy horse to operate as a fully mobile service—traveling directly to healthcare facilities to bring comfort, joy and connection to those who need it most.
Known as Winnie the Mini, this four-legged therapist is already making a big impact wherever she goes.
Bringing comfort directly to those who need it most
While Alabama is home to several incredible equine-assisted therapy programs—some of which work with miniature horses and ponies—Winnie holds a special distinction.
After extensive research, her team believes Winnie is the very first miniature therapy horse in Alabama to operate as a fully mobile service, traveling directly to healthcare facilities across the state.
Winnie’s mission is simple but powerful: to bring the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction to people who may not be able to access traditional therapy settings. As a completely mobile service animal, Winnie regularly visits nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care units and hospitals.
Winnie is already TV-famous
Winnie’s heartwarming work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She has already made appearances on several local TV stations, helping spread her mission across Alabama:
Her calm demeanor and gentle presence offer comfort, spark joy and create moments of meaningful connection for residents and patients alike. In spaces that can often feel overwhelming or emotionally heavy, Winnie’s visits provide a welcome sense of warmth and relief.
A meaningful goal: visiting Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Looking ahead, one of the team’s most important long-term goals is to bring Winnie to Children’s Hospital of Alabama. They are actively working to build the connections needed to introduce Winnie’s unique brand of comfort to children and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.
The hope is that Winnie’s presence can offer not just smiles, but a sense of peace during challenging times.
If you know of a nursing home, memory care facility, assisted living center, hospital, school or other institution that may benefit from Winnie’s visits, her team encourages you to reach out. You can find more from Winnie on Facebook.
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