The 32-inch-tall American Miniature horse makes monthly rounds at North Broward Medical Center as part of an equestrian therapy program called Let's Peace it Together, Inc.

Let’s Peace it Together founder Donna Jellis brings tiny steeds to several South Florida hospitals for hour-long visits, and the patients respond well. "They get so excited," said Jellis, of Pompano Beach, Florida. "It's a unique thing to see a horse in the hospital. It takes their mind off whatever pain they're going through. There's something healing about it. It's amazing."

Equine therapists are making the rounds in various locales, serving many people in need of hope.

With sometimes up to five mini horses loaded in the back of her minivan, the Austin based Hearts & Hooves founder Veronique Matthews travels to hospitals, nursing homes, Alzheimer units, state hospitals, schools for the blind and deaf, neuro rehabilitation centers, schools for persons with disabilities, women's abuse centers and anywhere these animals can make a difference.

The Guide Horse Foundation of Kittrell, North Carolina is committed to delivering Guide Horses at no cost to the blind. The organization cites many compelling reasons to use miniature horses as guide animals—

Horses are natural guide animals and have been guiding humans for centuries. In nature, horses have been shown to possess a natural guide instinct. When another horse goes blind in a herd, a sighted horse accepts responsibility for the welfare of the blind horse and guides it with the herd. With humans, many blind people ride horses in equestrian competitions. Some blind people ride alone on trails for many miles, completely relying on the horse to guide them safely to their destination. Through history, Cavalry horses have been known to guide their injured rider to safety.

There's a lot of healing power wrapped up in these mini packages!

Flickr Photo Credits: myrealityphotography ; Chairwarmer
Source: The Chicago Tribune ; Hearts and Hooves; The Guide Horse Foundation