An Unexpected Reunion
After suffering a severe concussion in October of 2021, lifelong equine enthusiast Victoria DeLuca could no longer safely care for the full-sized horses she loved. Instead, she began perusing local miniature horse auctions and stumbled upon a familiar-looking mini.
As a child, Victoria had cared for a miniature horse named Lollypop, but the family eventually had to re-home her. After seeing the ad, she and her family traveled to Middlesex, CT, where she came face to face with “Misty,” an apprehensive mini horse that wouldn’t respond to her name.
“Until we called her the name Lollypop,” Victoria explains. “She went from being nervous and scared to [feeling] safe. From that point, we knew it was Lollypop.”
But Lollypop came with a special surprise: her six-month-old baby, Whisky. Whisky was neglected and unkempt; her feet had not been trimmed since birth.
“That’s like walking in high heels for your entire life,” Victoria explains.
Whisky quickly warmed to the family, attempting to jump in their laps during her first night home.
From Photos to Therapy
To celebrate Lollypop’s first holiday season back with the family, Victoria took her and Whisky to Bass Pro Shop for Christmas photos. There, the horses received a deluge of loving attention from fellow patrons. Victoria remembers that among the horses’ admirers were several children and adults with disabilities: “These were the people Lollypop would stop for. She’d put her head down and hug them.”
For Victoria, this was the moment she knew that Lollypop had an inherent will to comfort, support, and heal.
The Working Minis
For their minis, Victoria says they look for one distinct quality. The horse must have a gregarious personality: they should be outgoing, love people, and want to spend time with others.
“We’re essentially looking for a horse with a puppy personality,” Victoria explains.
The Therapy Minis offer both scheduled farm sessions and external visits. After receiving several inquiries from people wanting to meet the minis, Glendale Farms in Milford agreed to dedicate a portion of the property for these events. While they still travel for visits, folks can now schedule appointments with the minis at Glendale and meet Lollypop, Whisky, and Frazier – the newest addition to the team – on their home turf.
For external visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and similar events, Lollypop is their go-to mini representative. “When [Lollypop] sees her shoes,” Victoria says, “she’s the first to greet you at the gate. She loves doing her job.”
Looking Ahead, Looking Back
Victoria is excited by the prospect of serving the Milford community and beyond with the help of the Therapy Minis. “I would love to hold regular holiday events with the minis and to expand our reach,” she says.
Victoria recalls one specific instance in which an adult day center representative pulled her aside and noted what a profound difference they had seen in some of their members: “They said, there’s some people in here who never talk, never laugh, never show joy. But with Lollypop, they were dancing, laughing, and interacting with other members. Lollypop brought out a different side of them.”
Victoria notes that Lollypop is often similarly transformed by a visit, explaining that she can tell from Lollypop’s energy that she is proud of the services she has been able to provide. “We might not see it right in the moment, but when we leave an event, I can tell how it’s affected her. It is absolutely a healing journey for her as well.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Therapy Minis, visit their Facebook page or send an email to thetherapyminis@gmail.com.
"We’re essentially looking for a horse with a puppy personality."