Young patients and their families meet Charlie, a miniature therapy horse, during a summer fun event at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
Ella Kearns, 5, smiles as she hugs Charlie, a miniature therapy horse, in front of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Charlie's visit was part of a summer fun for young patients and families. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sofia Spica, 9, smiles with Charlie, a miniature therapy horse, in front of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Charlie's visit was part of a summer fun for young patients and families. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nikolas Reece and his mom, Christy, visit with Charlie. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Anna Schroeder, 7, pets Charlie the miniature therapy horse, as Ronica Froese coaxes a smile from him in front of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jaxon Schulte, 3, checks out Charlie the miniature therapy horse's tricks. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Shyla Schulte, 6, hugs Charlie, a miniature therapy horse. Charlie's visit was part of a summer fun for young patients and families. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health K-9 Cain meets Charlie the miniature therapy horse in front of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Charlie's visit was part of a summer fun for young patients and families. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Charlie, a miniature therapy horse, put on shoes for part of his visit to Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ronica Froese coaxes a smile from Charlie the miniature therapy horse. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ella Kearns, 5, pets Charlie. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
These are amazing pictures. Thank you so much for taking them and sharing them. We had an amazing time yesterday and hope maybe in the future we can do it again.
Ronica and Charlie are an AWESOME team! They make regular visits at many different facilities! Charlie is such a great little horse and totally house trained.. it would be wonderful for the kids who aren’t able to come out to have Charlie come inside to visit them!! He is a perfect gentleman and what a way to make those kiddos day a little brighter!!! 🙂
Jan I bought it from Kustom Fit Halters. They are hand made and have several personalization options. They are a great quality halter. I put Charlie’s name on all 3 sides to make it easy for everyone to know his name. Kustom Fit Halters has a great website and fb page. I always call and order just so I know I’m ordering the right things.
Such beautiful photos and such a wonderful experience to bring healing smiles to these patients. Keep inviting Charlie back, he’s an inspiration to us all!
There is nothing like the smile on a child’s face, and especially on a sick child. Animals can bring joy and joy can bring laughter and healing. That is what Charlie and Ronica do. This is a wonderful therapy that Ronica and Charlie are providing for these children. Also a big plus for Helen De Vos Children’s Hospital!
These are amazing pictures. Thank you so much for taking them and sharing them. We had an amazing time yesterday and hope maybe in the future we can do it again.
Ronica and Charlie are an AWESOME team! They make regular visits at many different facilities! Charlie is such a great little horse and totally house trained.. it would be wonderful for the kids who aren’t able to come out to have Charlie come inside to visit them!! He is a perfect gentleman and what a way to make those kiddos day a little brighter!!! 🙂
Love the pictures and story!!! I need to ask where you bought Charlies halter at, I am looking for the same and same colors for my Cookie?
Jan I bought it from Kustom Fit Halters. They are hand made and have several personalization options. They are a great quality halter. I put Charlie’s name on all 3 sides to make it easy for everyone to know his name. Kustom Fit Halters has a great website and fb page. I always call and order just so I know I’m ordering the right things.
We love our Ella
Such beautiful photos and such a wonderful experience to bring healing smiles to these patients. Keep inviting Charlie back, he’s an inspiration to us all!
Love the look on these kids faces!!
Love these pictures! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Stacey. We loved doing this event. You can follow our journey of animal assisted therapy @ http://www.facebook.com/rrmhighrollingcharlie
We can’t wait to be invited back.
There is nothing like the smile on a child’s face, and especially on a sick child. Animals can bring joy and joy can bring laughter and healing. That is what Charlie and Ronica do. This is a wonderful therapy that Ronica and Charlie are providing for these children. Also a big plus for Helen De Vos Children’s Hospital!