Categories: Therapy Animals

Pride is our big horse in a mini horse body. He may be little but he can boss the big horses around just as well as any average size horse (we don’t have the heart to tell him he’s little). He’s not used for riding, but is great at maneuvering an obstacle course. Pride loves attention and is wonderful for therapy sessions since he is on the same level as the smaller kids. He is the perfect size for grooming, taking on walks, and even reading to. When not working Pride loves to spend his time hanging with his best friend Kit Kat.

Gymir is a chestnut Icelandic with a beautiful, long, full mane. Icelandics are known for having one of the smoothest gaits; however, Gymir is unaware of this fact and we haven’t mentioned it to him either; his bumpier gait can be useful for therapy. Gymir is a favorite for smaller patients as he has a lot of patience and very forgiving. Gymir also loves to knock cones over instead of weaving around them, giving the kids a good giggle. In 2003, Gymir was awarded the Saint Skutla Award for Icelandic Service Horse after being nominated by one of our patient’s families.

Donated by Eva Paloheimo

Bacardi, better known as Boo, is a registered paint horse. Boo has been with Nature’s Edge from the beginning. He started his career as a show horse with Becky, our director. Once Nature’s Edge was opened, Boo was given the opportunity to expand his career and became a therapy horse, helping with Hippotherapy and Animal-Assisted therapy. While Boo loved his career as a show horse and still competed for a while, he excelled as a therapy horse. All the kids loved riding the “big white horse”.

Boo is now enjoying retirement. He does still help with Animal-Assisted therapy by going on walks, standing patiently to be used as a painting canvas, bathing, or his favorite, being groomed. His absolute favorite activity is being a horse and ruling his herd.

Tippy joined the Nature’s Edge family in 2013. Like most Border Collies, he is very intelligent. Tippy was certified as a Pet Partner therapy dog at a little over a year old. He has since been registered as a R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog). He is also part of the Animal-Assisted Crisis Team through Pet Partners. Tippy loves to join his brother and sister, Bandit and Mable, as part of the welcome wagon for anyone and everyone that pulls up the driveway. He has a super fun and sweet personality and loves to roll over for tummy scratches. If not involved with a therapy session, you can usually find Tip curled up taking a nap under a desk.

Donated by Daryl and Lynnette Carlson

Princess joined the Nature’s Edge family in 2016. While she looks cute and sweet, she can have some sass to match. She loves to tease Tip, Bandit, and Mable, climb onto Cheerio’s cage, or hide around the corner and jump out as you walk past her. When she’s in the mood she’ll be one of the cuddliest cats you’ve ever met. If ever looking for Princess, there’s a good chance you’ll find her in her favorite basket napping in the office.

Bandit is a German Short Hair mix. Bandit joined the Nature’s Edge team in 2012 at six weeks of age. He loves greeting anyone that pulls in the driveway and automatically assumes they have come to see him. Since joining the team Bandit and Becky, our director, are a registered Pet Partner team. He is also part of the Animal-Assisted Crisis Team through Pet Partners. Bandit is also R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog) registered dog. When not working Bandit can be found running with his brother Tippy and sister Mable, or doing his favorite activity, napping!

Adopted from the Washburn County Area Humane Society