Miniature horses brighten day, provide therapy for Marklund students and clients

Four miniature horses strolled the hallways of Marklund Day School and Marklund Philip Center recently, bringing looks of surprise and smiles to those they met.

During their first visit to Marklund's Bloomingdale campus, volunteers and the mini horses from Equine Dreams met with students, clients, teachers and staff who stroked, hugged and nuzzled the gentle animals, each of which was wearing rubber-soled shoes over their tiny hoofed feet, and stood less than 3 feet tall.

"It was a different experience for our students," said Paula Bodzioch, director of education. "Their eyes lit up when the horses walked through the door. It was amazing to see some students, who at first felt nervous, gradually feel at ease around the horses."

Equine Dreams miniature horses and volunteers will return to Marklund's Bloomingdale campus to provide ongoing animal therapy visits.

"Interacting with animals is so beneficial," Bodzioch said of Marklund's pet therapy program, which also includes visits from certified therapy dogs. "Students work on goals like extending their range of motion, walking, waiting and taking turns."

Other benefits of pet therapy, according to research, include tactile input received when clients pet, touch and get rubbed and licked by the animals; unconditional love, and sensory input received when animals sit on clients' laps or push against their bodies, and when clients hold, rub and pat animals.

"It was incredible to see the looks on students' faces," said Hilsa Hallihan, volunteer coordinator. "We all look forward to seeing the horses again."

Equine Dreams has been providing pet therapy visits to the clients at Marklund's Geneva campus for over a year. The nonprofit organization, located in Newark, Illinois, provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted activities and therapies to children and adults with disabilities.