Meet the big ponies who visit hospitals, schools and nursing homes – giving therapeutic hugs to those in need. Owner Sarah Woodland, 42, received two mini Shetland ponies in the summer of 2022 from a friend. Poppy, 16, and Tinks, 17, are just 30 inches tall and love to be petted and fussed over. Sarah began doing private one-to-one enrichment sessions with the pair before deciding to visit a local care home with them to encourage residents to connect with the animals. The session went so well that she decided to make them both therapy ponies – to provide comfort and interaction to people who need it – and now she takes them to special schools, hospitals and nursing homes.
