Miniature horses bring smiles into patients' days

By Shirley Brinkley

Correspondent

Kristy and Two Socks are on a minimission of their own these days. And although their mission began as a result of their owner's hobby, they are all too happy to help.

The miniature horses are frequent visitors to the East Pavilion, which is adjacent to Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin, and Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk.

Their mission is the same as that of therapy dogs - to bring cheer to the lives of patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

Their mission

With the help of his daughter, Deb Cummings, horse owner James "Buddy" Jones Sr. of Windsor has transported his horses to a residents picnic on a nursing home lawn and to Suffolk's Sentara Obici Hospital, where visitors and patients can pet them.

"The horses bring a smile and a calming effect to the patients, staff and visitors," said Gloria Seitz, communications consultant at Sentara Obici Hospital.

"If people enjoy animals, they particularly enjoy our therapy program."

I t is difficult for the horses to walk on the hospital's terrazzo marble floors, she said. Therefore, they welcome visitors at the entrance, while patients who are well enough can come to visit them.

"If we had carpet throughout the hospital, that would help," Seitz said, "but the floor is too slippery for them."

"Everybody is fascinated by the horses, and love to pet them," said Vincent "Buddy" Lankford, an East Pavilion resident. "You don't get to see things like this when you're in a nursing home. We're always happy to see different things."

Travis Marlowe agrees

In early August, 7-year-old Travis Marlowe was visiting Sentara Obici Hospital when Jones showed up with three miniature ponies and half a dozen miniature donkeys.

Travis was fascinated with the well-behaved, gentle animals.

"They're so tiny," he told his mother, Elizabeth Marlowe.

Then the questions flowed. What do they eat? Where do they sleep? How do they wear those little saddles? Can I ride one?

He was so taken with Little Jake that he begged his mother to take him to the farm where the horses live.

"It was beautiful and they have loads of other animals, full size and miniature," she said. "They let the animals out of the pasture to run around the front yard."

Little Jake seemed to remember Travis and trotted right to him.

It was a highlight for Travis, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, severe asthma, bi-polar disorder and, most recently, a bowel disorder. Experiences like this are so important, Marlowe said, because he remembers and talks about them all the time.

Their mission goes further

Jones' hobby began about 20 years ago with the arrival of his grandchildren. He bought the horses to entertain his grandchildren. Before he knew it, Jones was transporting his animals to special events.

They have since participated in parades in Suffolk, Sedley, Zuni, Franklin and Drewryville. The tiny horses also have been attractions at Smithfield's Olden Days.

During the Christmas holidays, Jones' miniature mules, Pete and Lucy, participated in the drive-thru manger scene at Wilroy Baptist Church.

"I carried them over to the church," Jones said. "I put down some hay with a little feed on top, and they just stood there and grazed."

It's a family affair

In the beginning, Jones raised hogs, "which paid expenses through the years," but after experiencing a heart problem, he turned the farm over to his son.

But that hasn't stopped him from taking in animals in need of a home.

Several people who were unable to keep their own miniature horses have offered their animals to Jones, free of charge.

In turn, he has given away and sold a few of his animals to people whose children have wanted a miniature horse of their own.

"During Driver Days, a man saw my horses, and gave me a pony," Jones said. "I gave it to someone with three children.

"A lady came by the house one day, and said that one of my horses looked just like her's that died. She bought my horse.

"Later, I got a letter from her saying how much her kids were enjoying it. Now that's rewarding!"

On Oct. 18, Jones and his miniature horses will be on hand for the 100-year celebration of the town of Ivor.

"I enjoy doing this," he said. "I'll carry kids to walk my horses in the parade, and the kids can play with them in the afternoon."

Shirley Brinkley, vptabwriter@yahoo.com