Veterans and seniors find comfort through mini therapy horses at this ranch

Mini therapy horses in Central Florida are helping veterans and seniors find comfort and healing through Ponies for Patriots and Pint Size Therapy, an organization that connects people with horse therapy.

On Monday night, the organization held a fundraiser to support its mission.

The Ocala, Florida, ranch that houses Ponies for Patriots and Pint Size Therapy is home to Fancy, a mini therapy horse who has been instrumental in helping veterans like retired Army Staff Sgt. Dan Hermsen. His wife, Tracie Hermsen, a former Army specialist, introduced him to the program.

“He has pretty bad PTSD, so he doesn’t say yes to very much, so he did say yes,” Tracie Hermsen said.

When they visited, Fancy put her head to Dan’s chest.

“It made me cry,” Dan Hermsen said.

The couple now serves on the organization’s board of directors, with Dan volunteering at the ranch multiple times a week.

“It’s my way of giving back to them because they’ve done so much for me. Internal healing,” Dan Hermsen said.

Ponies for Patriots and Pint Size Therapy was founded about a year ago by Dawn Lomelo, who said she was inspired to start the organization after her son graduated from the Military Academy.

“I made a promise: watch over my son, and I will give back to the community, especially those who have served or are currently serving,” Lomelo said.

She said the organization has grown over the past year. On Monday night, Fancy joined a fundraising event at a restaurant in Ocala to help the organization expand its reach. Raising money, hoping to make the trails around their ranch handicap accessible.

“So no one’s limited by their mobility. Everybody can get the same experience, whether they’re handicapped or not,” Lomelo said.

After Dan’s experience, he and his wife hope more veterans will consider mini horse therapy as a way to heal.

“What if? What if it did heal you in a way you never thought could?” Tracie Hermsen said.