Charlie, a miniature therapy horse from Little Horse Big Smiles, visits young patients at Helen DeVos Children's hospital.
Tessa Prothero tells Charlie the therapy horse that she doesn't have a treat for him. But she sure gave him a smile. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bayleigh Medina got more than a visit from Charlie, she received a stuffed pony toy from Little Horses Big Smiles. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"He's soft," Allie Westphal said, as she petted the miniature horse's coat. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie and Ronica Froese, owner of Little Horses Big Smiles Therapy, rode the elevator from floor to floor at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"We were able to spread a little horsey cheer," Ronica said after Charlie's visit with children in the hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Addison Post, her parents and little sister, Ciri, meet Charlie. "This is like holy-cow-crazy awesome," Addison's dad, Jon, said. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Addison's parents said Charlie's visit lifted their daughter's spirits. They said they were grateful for the little horse making the day brighter. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie also got to visit with his friend Cain, the Spectrum Health security dog. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie gives a little smile. "Charlie loves his job," Ronica said. "He definitely likes the kids." (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie's colorful shoes―which help his footing on hospital floors―brought a lot of giggles from the visiting children. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Julia Cherry smiles as she pets Charlie's nose. Ronica says she also gets a lot out of her and Charlie's visit with the children. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ronica puts shoes on Charlie's hooves. She bought them at a Build-A-Bear store. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie, Ronica, Rachel and Krisiti cross Michigan Street after visiting children at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
"It's fun to see the kids' reactions, because he's a horse," Ronica said. "It makes us all feel warm and fuzzy." (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie also brought his musical talent, playing a small keyboard held by Ronica. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
She giggled over Charlie’s colorful shoes―which help his footing on hospital floors―and accepted little horse kisses.
Charlie, 3 feet tall and 215 pounds, delivered a special brand of therapy to Allie and dozens of other children at the hospital on this special day. Ronica Froese, the owner of Little Horses Big Smiles Therapy, went from floor to floor at the hospital with the Child Life team, introducing him to children from infancy through teen years.
“Charlie will be 3 on May 7, so he’s just a baby,” she told Allie.
“I like horses,” Allie said. “I’ve wanted to ride a horse ever since I was 1.”
“Oh, he likes you,” Froese said, as the girl nuzzled the horse. “He’s smiling at you!”
For many children, Charlie showed off his basketball skills. He picked up a soft basketball and dunked it in a hoop just his size.
When 9-year-old Addison Post visited, Charlie didn’t feel like taking shots.
He picked up the ball, tossed his head, and flung the ball back toward Froese.
Addie and her 6-year-old sister, Ciri, burst into giggles.
Froese, hands on hips, tried to look sternly at the horse.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Charlie snorted, and that sent the girls giggling again.
The visit was a welcome respite for Addie, who has spent two weeks in the hospital as she gets tests and treatments for a rare condition called oculoectodermal syndrome.
“As soon as she heard there was going to be a horse here today, she was through the roof,” said her dad, Jon Post. “She was so excited.”
After they met the horse, Addie and Ciri played with the stuffed ponies they had received from Charlie. The mood represented a big switch for Addie, and left her parents feeling grateful for the brighter day.
“This is like holy-cow-crazy awesome,” Post said. “For her to get as excited as this, that is worth its weight in gold.”
You go Charlie.. Your Awesome.. So are You Ronica.. thx for what you do for the kids there. Our daughter was there for a week in 2010 due to being hot by a mini van..Brain injury etc..
Sherri
This is what we need to see more of! A mini horse and a child. What is more pure? The love, joy and respect on both is something you cannot hide! Awesomesome article! Proud of Charlie and Romica and her helpers. God is smiling down on this day!
What an amazing visit! We look forward to more visits in the future. Our slogan is May I always be remembered by the hoofprints and smiles I leave behind… I think my Charlie left lots of smiles beind on Thursday!!
He certainly did. It was wonderful to see the kids meet Charlie. They loved getting eye-to-eye with a horse just their size. Nice work, Ronica and Charlie!
Kylie please send me an address to my email littlehorsesbigsmilesinc@gmail.com so I can send Allie a hoof’a’graphed postcard and some other pictures we have of Charlie for her to keep. Thank you for letting her meet us. She was a doll and loved my Charlie so much. <3
It’s amazing how this pony has brought so much joy to so many children that need that uplifting feeling. It puts a huge smile on my face to know it brings happiness to children going through so much 😍😍😍
You go Charlie.. Your Awesome.. So are You Ronica.. thx for what you do for the kids there. Our daughter was there for a week in 2010 due to being hot by a mini van..Brain injury etc..
Sherri
Thank you Sherri. We are blessed to be a blessing to others!!
This is what we need to see more of! A mini horse and a child. What is more pure? The love, joy and respect on both is something you cannot hide! Awesomesome article! Proud of Charlie and Romica and her helpers. God is smiling down on this day!
Thank you Doris!!1 <3
What an amazing visit! We look forward to more visits in the future. Our slogan is May I always be remembered by the hoofprints and smiles I leave behind… I think my Charlie left lots of smiles beind on Thursday!!
He certainly did. It was wonderful to see the kids meet Charlie. They loved getting eye-to-eye with a horse just their size. Nice work, Ronica and Charlie!
Thank you so much For brightening our little girls day… She enjoyed the horse so much and keeps talking about it! What an awesome experience!
Kylie please send me an address to my email littlehorsesbigsmilesinc@gmail.com so I can send Allie a hoof’a’graphed postcard and some other pictures we have of Charlie for her to keep. Thank you for letting her meet us. She was a doll and loved my Charlie so much. <3
Which little girl was yours and God bless you
It’s amazing how this pony has brought so much joy to so many children that need that uplifting feeling. It puts a huge smile on my face to know it brings happiness to children going through so much 😍😍😍
Thank you we truly love what we do and are happy to all we can bring joy too.
Really enjoyed seeing Charlie and how much he cheered up the kids!
Thank you Jody!! We are blessed to be a blessing to others. My Charlie is such a great blessing in my life and I love doing therapy with him.
Very delightful and heartwarming
Thank you Lisa!! It’s truly our pleasure to be able to do these visits.
Thanks a ton! This a superb online site!
Spectrum does an amazing job
Thank you Ronica! 🙂