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  Magic named by TIME /CNN one of History's Ten Most Heroic Animals

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

  Gentle Carousel Needs Your Support

  Links To Our Sponsors

Upcoming Events

Gentle Carousel Awards and Good News

   AARP's Most Heroic Pet In America

Gentle Carousel in Magazines

On Television, Film and Radio

Gentle Carousel in Newspapers

  Meet Our Therapy Horse Team

Horse Costumes

  Movie Star Benji Teams Up With Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

  Gentle Carousel and Martha Stewart    

               A Visit From National Geographic

Prancing With The Stars

Magic on NEWSWEEK/DAILY BEAST  Ten Most Heroic Animals

READING IS MAGIC at Schools

READING IS MAGIC Horses

READING IS MAGIC at Libraries

READING IS MAGIC Authors

  READING IS MAGIC Bringing Books To Life at Literacy Festivals

  Smallest Horses In The World

Becoming a Therapy Horse

Home Sweet Home

  Magic is a Power Of One  AMERICANTOWNS HERO

Princess Tea Parties

 Magic of Horses

 Sundance Star of Jason and Elihu

Elephants, Zebras and Gentle Carousel

Our Rescues and Therapy Friends

              Tiny Horses of Distant Thunder Ranch 

Magical Moments Fashion Show

Magic Horses Poem

Lake City Journal | Lake City, FL Therapy Dog Henry's Newspaper Column

  Holiday Memories

Contact Us

 Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

     Your donations are tax deductible. Help us grant wishes, make memories and bring a little magic into the world.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

P.O. Box 358844

Gainesville, FL  32635

Phone: 352-226-9009

MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

  Rainbow in a huddle with two time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms.

Hugh Jackman talks about Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses on stage during his amazing Broadway show.

 

"Keep up the wonderful work you do.  I often tell people that Lassie was the first therapy dog--the first to be allowed in hospitals more than 50 years ago!"      

Jon Provost, Appeared as Timmy Martin on Lassie

Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith after winning the Kentucky Derby. 

Thank you to Mike Smith for including Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in your supported charities for the 2011 holidays!

Cloudburst wins Martha Stewart's Annual Halloween Photo Contest!  In 2011 Martha talked about Gentle Carousel on her website and Twitter.  In 2012 Peanut was featured on The Martha Stewart Show. Thank you Martha!

Cloudburst on People Magazine website.

"...Gentle Carousel, you are wonderful, gentle, caring people! "

Marlo Thomas,Actress, producer, best selling author, four-time Emmy winner and activist for children's causes

A photo of Peanut and Aladdin was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and her website home page. Who doesn't love Ellen!

Canine movie star Benji working with Magic.

"What they are doing is just so incredible.  They are making a difference. These people are the real deal.  They are down there in the trenches doing it."

Joe Camp, film writer, producer, director, bestselling author and man behind canine superstar Benji.

Rainbow with THE DUKES OF HAZZARD star Tom Wopat.

Sundance reading at a Boys and Girls Club with former NFL and University of Florida  quarterback Doug Johnson for an Associated Press photo and literacy poster.

 

Gentle Carousel was selected a charity partner in Disney's volunteer program "Give a Day. Get a Day."

As Seen in:

TeaTime Magazine

"Your Reading Is Magic program and volunteers are heroes every time they walk into a school or library.  Using little miniature horses to inspire young children to read is most creative.  Congratulations on your wonderful charity, spirit and service to your community."

 William J. Bennett, Former Secretary of Education

James Gurney, Best-selling author and illustrator of the Dinotopia book series.

"Gentle Carousel...  Thank you for all of your hard work!"

Joan Lundon, journalist, author and television host

 Magic with four-time Olympian and ten-time US Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year, Karen O'Connor.

 

Magic with David O'Connor, president of the United States Equestrian Federation, Olympic gold medalist and Pan American Games and World Equestrian Games medalist.

 

"Reading Is Magic!

Every child you inspire to read is a life forever changed. Thank you for that and for bringing books to life...It can take you from outer space to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Either way, the journey is magical.

...Wow.  Love those little horses... Great job you're doing.  I'm proud of you." 

-Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times Bestselling author and NASA engineer  

"What you have to get across is that these are highly trained horses. They go into an environment, a situation, circumstances where only a trained horse such as this can navigate himself... They seem to have an innate sense of how to go to the person they are there to comfort."

 Ilene Silverman, Executive producer and host of the The Ilene Silverman Show.

"...I think that the use of horses is wonderful for children with self-regulation and attachment issues (the classic problems with so many children in the CPS system as you are aware)...Keep up your work. With  Respect"

Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.Senior Fellow
The Child Trauma Academy 

"...I just wanted to take the opportunity to write you a letter expressing my amazement with your miracle miniature horse "Magic". As I read about all the miraculous things that have happened in her presence, I was absolutely stunned. It is amazing that despite the modern marvels of medicine and how much that field has advanced in my lifetime, that sometimes there remains an unexplained element to health and recovery that is covered by miraculous creatures like your horse..."

Senator Steve Oelrich

"Magic and Gentle Carousel, Inspiring children to read is magical. You are making a difference!"

 Chris Soentpiet, Acclaimed children's book author and illustrator (Thank you for the beautiful artwork you donated to help Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic!)

 "My own daughter, who has Down Syndrome has been touched by Magic. I have been able to see first hand what these animals can do just with my own child...This program benefits so many different population bases. They can reach the elderly, the terminally ill, children with developmental disabilities, children with needs in reading...there are just so many opportunities to reach so many people in need..."

Lance Block, Chairman for the Governor's Commission on Disabilities

"What 'Reading Is Magic' does for kids by going into schools and igniting excitement for reading a story is beyond compare.  Keep the hoof beats going."

Carl Joseph, author and Hall of Fame athlete

 

"What an honor and thrill to have Gentle Carousel's Sundance as a riveting character in JASON AND ELIHU."

Shelley Fraser Mickle, Award winning author and National Public Radio commentator  

 

Sundance smiles for a fan then kisses one of his photos in the novel JASON AND ELIHU as an autograph.

 "You have a wonderful program. Thank you for bringing joy to children... Keep reading! It is magic!"

Anna Grossnickle Hines, Author and illustrator of over 50 children's books.

"...Thank you for all the work you do...Reading is Magic!"

Linda Sue Park, Bestselling author and Newbery Medal Winner

 

 

Upcoming Public Events

Because we work inside hospitals, hospice programs, schools and assisted living programs, most Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horse visits are private. 

   Our horses do attend special events during the year that are open to the public, especially Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic programs at libraries and literacy festivals.

 

 

 

2012 Public Gentle Carousel Events

 

 Gentle Carousel will be a guest on Horses In The Morning.

January 25, 2012

9:30 AM

 

 

 Relay For Life 50's Ice Cream Social to Support American Cancer Society

February 25, 2012

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Jonesville, Florida

For more information contact Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic  

352-331-8434

 

 

Children's Miracle Network Fundraiser

Saturday, March 2, 2012  6:00pm

University of North Florida Arena    Jacksonville, FL

 

 

We made many new Early Steps friends at the Sidney Lanier School in 2010,2011 and 2012.

 

Early Steps Spring Festival

Saturday, March 3, 2012  10:00am - 1:00pm

Sidney Lanier School    Gainesville, FL

A fun and informational event for children with disabilities and their families.

Free Admission

 

 

 2012 Roundup Relay For Life to Support American Cancer Society

March 16, 2012

6:00 PM

Newberry High School

Newberry, Florida

 

 

 

    Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic will be the special children's event again this year at the UCF Book Festival

March  31, 2012

UCF Arena

University of Central Florida's main campus

Free Admission to all events

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

High Springs Branch Library Summer Reading Kickoff

June 6,  2012      2:30 pm

  135 NW 1st Ave, High Springs, FL  32643

386-454-2515

Free Admission

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

Fort White Branch Library

June 14,  2012      10:00 am

(At the Fort White Community Center)

17700 SW State Road 47

Fort White, FL

386-497-1108

Free Admission

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

Branford Public Library

June 19,  2012      10:00 am

703 Suwannee Ave NW

Branford, FL

386-935-1556

Free Admission

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

Tower Road Branch Library

July 25,  2012      2:00 PM

3020 S.W. 75th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 333-2840

Free Admission

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

City of Alachua Library

Summer Reading Finale

August 16,  2012      2:00 pm

14913 NW 140 Street

Alachua, Florida  32615
(386) 462-2592
 Free Admission

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

at O'Leno Literacy Day

September 8,  2012

 O’Leno State Park is celebrating Literacy Day with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses along with local authors and guest readers.  There will be nature arts and crafts and games for young readers.

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic will be performing on stage at the pavilion.

Free with regular park admission

 

      

 Gentle Carousel will be at SportsAbility

October 5,  2012

Ocala, Florida

  SportsAbility is the premier event of the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA). This event is about enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by promoting active living. SportsAbility provides first hand access to resources and demonstrations of activities designed to encourage participation regardless of age or ability level.
 
 
 
 
 

 

The event is for children and their caregivers from 1-4 p.m. at the Headquarters-Ocala location (2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala).

Children ages 12 and under may dress up as their favorite fairy tale character for an afternoon of enchantment and adventure, with activities including:
  • Performance by special guests and whimsical storytellers Finn & Fiona
  • Maypole dancing with the Greenwood Morris dancers.
  • Knights Training Center, Fairy Tale Trail, Storybook Lane and Princess Parlor activity stations.
     
  • Traditional flute and harp music.
  • Marshmallow archery, chess and other games.
  • Craft arcade for toddlers.
  • Royal miniature horses.
     

 

 

2011 Public Gentle Carousel Events

  

 

The Magic of Christmas Afternoon Tea

    

          The Magic of Christmas Afternoon Tea at the beautiful Grady House Bed and Breakfast is a featured holiday event in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Tea Time Magazine.

The most magical time of year to visit The Grady House is when it is decorated for the holidays. 

    Take time out from your busy holiday preparations for an afternoon of elegance, surprises and tantalizing treats with a holiday greeting from some very special horses.

December 3, 2011   1:30 pm

The Grady House Bed and Breakfast

"Voted the Best Bed and Breakfast in Florida"

    

 

 

Santa Ponies at The Lake City Journal Food Drive

        Bring your camera and food to help your neighbors!  Take a photo with the Santa Ponies when you make a  food or cash donation to help the Christian Service Center.  Sponsors will match all financial donations.

 Donations will help with Christmas baskets and toys for children.

December 6, 2011      5pm - 7:00 pm

Lake City Mall         Lake City, Florida

Thank you to everyone who donated food and money for food to help the Food Drive a success!

 

 

 

 

Santa Ponies at 15th Annual Holiday Traditions: A Musical Celebration

STOP! CHILDREN'S CANCER, INC

        December 11, 2011     4pm

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts      Gainesville, Florida

What a night!

 

 

Santa Ponies at Christmas For The Community

An event that supports foster children and children in shelters for the holidays.

December 11, 2011   Noon - 2:00 pm

University City Church of Christ Gym

Gainesville, Florida

Santa Ponies on Channel 20 News at Christmas for the the Community.

 

 

Santa Ponies at Alachua County Sheriff's Office Community Outreach Holiday Event

December 15, 2011

5pm- 8:00 pm

Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park

Gainesville, Florida 32608

It was great meeting everyone!

 

 

 

Santa Ponies at LifeSouth Operation Santa Delivery

Look for us right next to Santa with our sleigh!

December 17, 2011

10 am- 1:00 pm

Santa Fe College

3300 NW 83rd Street

Gainesville, Florida 32608

Rainbow with K Country DJ Lewis Stokes.

Photo from the Gainesville Sun.

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Public Events

Veterans Day Events in Ocala and Gainesville

Week of November 11, 2011

 

 

9TH ANNUAL ALACHUA HARVEST FESTIVAL

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011

Main Street

Alachua, Florida

11 AM — 5 PM

 

 

Florida Horse Park Annual Fall Farm Tour

October 27,  2011     

8:00 am

Ocala, Florida

We had a great time with all 300 riders!

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

at O'Leno Literacy Day

September 17,  2011

 O’Leno State Park is celebrating Literacy Day with Magic and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses along with local authors and guest readers.  There will be nature arts and crafts and games for young readers.

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic will be performing on stage at the pavilion.

Free with regular park admission

 

High Springs -- Literacy Day at O'Leno State Park features Magic and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses along with local authors and guest readers on Sept. 17. Also on the agenda are nature arts and crafts and games for young readers. Admission is free with regular park admission ($5 per vehicle, limit two-eight people per vehicle; $4 for single occupant vehicle; $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. O'Leno State Park is at 410 Southeast Oleno Park Road. For details, visit www.floridastateparks.org/oleno.
 

12:00 Noon  Magic Loves Me 

Video and book featuring  Magic, America's Most Heroic Horse

with appearance by Magic

 

  

12:30pm  Fritz and the Beautiful Horses

Featuring therapy horses Aladdin, Peanut and Magic

Includes meet and greet with the horses

 

 

    1:00 pm  Gift Horse / Native Americans and Horses

Painting on Pintos featuring therapy horses Wakanda and Red Cloud

How many people will come to a state park to talk about books? Hundreds of people! O'Leno State Park gave the books donated for entry into the park to Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic program. Thank you O'Leno!!

 

Lake City Journal | Lake City, FL

History in miniature at O'Leno State Park Literacy Day

History in miniature at O'Leno State Park Literacy Day
Aladdin (left) and Peanut, in full literary costume, visit with children at O'Leno State Park Literacy Day.
Miniature horses and history and Native American traditions featured at Literacy Day at O'Leno State Park
 
Wakanda, a one-year-old pinto, shows off the designs painted by children at Literacy day. (Gentle Carousel photo)
Wakanda, a one-year-old pinto, shows off the designs painted by children at Literacy day.
A special book about a painted pony inspired a boy to read at Literacy Day. (Gentle Carousel photo)
A special book about a painted pony inspired a boy to read at Literacy Day.

 

Five tiny horses brought a special program to O'Leno State Park Literacy Day, featuring children's books written and illustrated by Native Americans

“We did two hours of programs with five horses, including our new Gift Horse/Native Americans and Horses program that included painting on Pintos,” said Debbie Garcia-Bengochea of Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses.

“The children had fun painting the traditional symbols on the horses -- who washed up very well after the program,” she said.

Our new therapy horse in training, Cloudburst, made his first public appearance as one of the pintos and was a park ranger favorite!

Families could enter the park on Literacy Day free if they donated a new or lightly used book.

All of the children's books donated were given to Gentle Carousel to give to children at Happy House in Lake City. Gentle Carousel will visit Happy House on a regular schedule.

Gentle Carousel began as a therapy-horse program, visiting children’s hospitals, Hospice and nursing homes. The tiny horses bring joy to patients and take their attention away from their medical challenges.

A reading program followed, matching horses with those in books. Debbie and Jorge Garcia-Bengochea have acquired a variety of miniature horses that look just like the literary characters in books, such as “Run with the Wind,” “Black Beauty” and “Year of the Black Pony.”

To see all of the animals and learn more about Gentle Carousel, visit www.Horse-Therapy.org


 

 

 

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

City of Alachua Library

Summer Reading Finale

August 18,  2011      2:00 pm

14913 NW 140 Street

Alachua, Florida  32615
 

(386) 462-2592
 

Free Admission

Magic and Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic finished our 2011 summer library programs with a full house in Alachua.

 

 

Mike Peterson Foundation

Alachua Family Fun Day

July  23,  2011         5-8:00 PM

Alachua, Florida

  Peanut in a UF cheerleader costume and Wakanda in a UF football costume with University of Florida Hall Of Fame football player and 12 season NFL player (currently with the Atlanta Falcons) Mike Peterson.  The horses enjoyed helping out at the Mike Peterson Foundation charity event.

 

Lots of fun and new friends at Mike Peterson's Family Fun Day!

 

 Lake City Journal | Lake City, FL

Special celebration at Lifestyle Enrichment Center
Special celebration at Lifestyle Enrichment Center
Gentle Carousel brings Aladdin and Peanut (the smallest horse in the world) to the Lifestyle Enrichment Center on Friday, July 1, at 1 p.m. for a special performance to celebrate Independence Day. Magic, named "One of History's 10 Most Courageous Animals," will join her little friends. The Gentle Carousel horses work in hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer's patients, group homes and with patients in hospice care. They also work with sheriff's officers in high crime neighborhoods as part of a community outreach program and help children with developmental delays and at-risk and abused children. (Gentle Carousel photo) Click on the photo for more information.

Independence Day with Gentle Carousel

Lifestyle Enrichment Center of Lake City

July 1, 2011      1:00 pm

 628 S.E. Allison Court

  1. Lake City, Florida

    386-755-0235

    386-755-0264

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

June 24,  2011      2:00 pm

 Columbia County Public Library

Free Admission

About 300 children and adults attended Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic in Columbia County.

"Three tiny horses, dressed in formal attire, brought a live performance of Fritz and the Beautiful Horses to standing-room-only crowds in Fort White and Lake City Friday." -Lake City Journal"

 

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

June 24,  2011      11:00 am

  Fort White Branch Library

(At the Fort White Community Center)

17700 SW State Road 47

Fort White, FL

386-497-1108

Free Admission

It was wonderful to see everyone at the Fort White Community Center.

 

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

Clay County Summer Reading Kickoff

June 17,  2011      10:30 am

  Keystone Heights Library

Oriole & Palmetto St.

Keystone Heights, FL  32656

352-473-4286

Free Admission

It was wonderful to see a library full of children at Keystone Heights Library!

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

Tower Road Branch Library Summer Reading Kickoff

June 11,  2011      11:00 am

3020 S.W. 75th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 333-2840
 

Free Admission

Some of our great story volunteers...

...and patient parents waiting in line for a turn to meet the horses at Tower Road.

 

 

 

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

High Springs Branch Library Summer Reading Kickoff

June 7,  2011      2:30 pm

  135 NW 1st Ave, High Springs, FL  32643

386-454-2515

Free Admission

Over 200 children attended the High Springs Library Summer Reading Kick-Off. Thank you to everyone who came and waited outside when the library was too full to take anyone else indoors.

 

 

 

Banner

ASTD 2011 International Conference and Expo

May 23-25, 2011

Orange County Convention Center

9800 International Drive

Orlando, FL

Held each spring, this premier event for workplace learning and development professionals welcomes 8,000 attendees from more than 70 countries. These professionals manage all aspects of learning in their organizations. From CEO to specialist, from dean to student, ASTD 2011 welcomes people from across the globe. Learning is a key driver in companies big and small. At ASTD’s International Conference & Exposition, they typically bring Fortune 500 companies like Wal-Mart, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Bank of America, and AT&T together to share what they are doing in learning to help grow businesses of all sizes.

We met hundreds of new friends from around the world!

 

 

 

  Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses will be "arrested" for "having a big heart" at the MDA Lock-Up.

Thursday, May 26       8:30am - 3:30pm

Muscular Dystrophy Association "Lock-Up"

 Hilton Ocala    Ocala, FL

Look for our little horses at this fund raising event!  Participants are recruited as jailbirds and sentenced to serve one hour behind bars to raise money to provide medical services, repairs on wheelchairs and leg braces, clinic visits and summer camp.


Aladdin was picked up by the police and then bailed out of jail raising $2000 for the MDA.

 

  

        Aladdin at MDA was one of the spooktacular photos selected for

Southern Living Magazine's Halloween Pet Parade!

 

 

 

 

 

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses was happy to support families fighting cancer at the Cops Against Cancer Trail Ride.

 

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses will be greeting participants at the Main Park Office.

April 23, 2011    9:30 - Noon 

San Felasco State Park     Main Park Office

12720 NW 109th Lane     Alachua, FL

 

 

 

  Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic will be the special children's event at the UCF Book Festival this year.

April 16, 2011  12:00-3:00 pm

UCF Arena

University of Central Florida's main campus

Free Admission to all events

  

Magic and Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic met thousands of new friends at the UCF Book Festival!

 

 

 

Early Steps Spring Festival

Saturday, March 5, 2011  10:00am - 2:00pm

Sidney Lanier School    Gainesville. FL

 "Families from around North Central Florida who have children with developmental delays gathered together in Gainesville last Saturday for a chance to have fun, be entertained and receive information about the many community resources that can help their children lead more productive lives."

Free Admission

We made many new Early Steps friends at the Sidney Lanier School!

 

 

What a great time we had at the Millhopper Library!

Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic

February  22, 2011      3:00 PM

Millhopper Branch of Alachua Library District

3145 NW 43rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 334-1272
 Free Admission

 

 

 

Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.

Your donations are tax deductible.

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." ~Winston Churchill

 

Gentle Carousel Inc.

P.O. Box 358844

Gainesville, FL  32635

Phone: 352-226-9009

MiniHorseTherapy@att.net

Home Page

 

© 2005-2012 Gentle Carousel Therapy Miniature Horses  All rights reserved.