In a heartwarming scene at an Athens primary school for children with special needs, 9-year-old Josifina Topa Mazuch smiled brightly as she guided Ivi, a miniature therapy horse, through the hallway.
Ivi, standing no taller than Josifina’s pink wheelchair, is one of eight tiny equines trained to bring joy and comfort to people in need.
"I really want them to come again," Josifina said after the November visit, her happiness echoing the sentiment of many who have encountered the horses from Gentle Carousel Greece, the country’s only miniature therapy horse charity.
Since 2014, Gentle Carousel Greece has offered moments of joy to thousands, visiting hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and care homes.
The horses, which stand about 75 centimetres (30 inches) tall, undergo two years of training to work in confined spaces and with vulnerable individuals. But despite the profound impact they bring, the charity is struggling to survive.
A Vision Born of Compassion
A Vision Born of CompassionMina Karagianni, an interior architect and designer, founded Gentle Carousel Greece after rescuing a Shetland pony and discovering the work of the Florida-based Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. Moved by images of the horses in pediatric oncology wards, Karagianni spent months persuading the U.S. organisation to partner with her.
In November 2013, six trained miniature horses arrived in Greece from Florida, and Karagianni transformed her family’s land in Rafina into the Magic Garden. The facility featured stables, a paddock, and a small café, and hosted events to fund the charity.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program served about 12,000 children, visiting schools and offering educational programs. However, lockdowns forced the closure of the café and disrupted visits, leaving the charity financially strained.
Financial Hardships and Resilience
Entirely self-funded by Karagianni, the charity’s operational costs—covering food, bedding, veterinary care, and transportation—have become increasingly difficult to meet. The pandemic, compounded by Karagianni’s personal health challenges, led to utility shutoffs at the Magic Garden.
"I’m making superhuman efforts," said Karagianni, 68, who now faces mounting debts and limited resources. She hopes to find partners to sustain the charity’s mission, acknowledging, "I can’t do it alone."
Transformative Encounters
Despite these challenges, the horses’ visits continue to touch lives. At the Athens school, children with cognitive and mobility challenges reached out to pet Ivi and Calypso, another miniature horse. Teacher Eleni Volikaki observed how even children who are typically afraid of animals approached the horses, showing spontaneous gestures of affection.
"It’s incredible," Volikaki said. "We saw things we didn’t expect—children making contact they wouldn’t under other circumstances."
The horses also visit adult psychiatric care facilities, bringing moments of calm and connection. At a home in Nea Makri, residents eagerly greeted Omiros, a miniature stallion with blue eyes. Social worker Alex Krokidas described the encounters as "deeply therapeutic," offering residents a rare sense of calm and tenderness.
For Giorgos, a resident who hesitated at first, the visit left a lasting impression. "He gave me a beautiful feeling when he was here," Giorgos said. "Now that he’s gone, I feel an absence."
A Call for Support
Karagianni remains determined to keep Gentle Carousel Greece running, despite the odds. "Seeing the horses’ effect, particularly on children, makes me want to continue as long as I can," she said.
The charity’s future depends on finding additional support to ensure its life-changing work endures. For now, the miniature horses continue to bring moments of joy, proving that even the smallest creatures can leave the largest impact.
(Source: Associated Press)