Connections with animals are vital to the human spirit. Animals bring joy, happiness and comfort to people around the world. Horses, in particular, can have a special impact. Mary Rose Gullet, founder and president of Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures, knows this firsthand, and first-hoove.
After experiencing a traumatic event, during her adolescence, Gullet’s parents decided to take her to a family friend’s horse farm to try to lift her spirits. As soon as Gullet saw and interacted with the horses, she had an incredible reaction. Her mood shifted and her energy increased. She was genuinely happier and felt a bond that was almost difficult to explain.
Gullet’s initial experience with her family friend’s horses eventually led her parents to purchase a horse farm of their own. During her high school years, Gullet found solace through her horses which played a pivotal role in her healing.
Gullet’s love for horses would stay with her, as she became an adult. Knowing the influence horses had on her, in her teen years, she decided to raise her own children around horses. Gullet would eventually gift her 2-year-old daughter with a miniature horse named Honey.
Recognizing the value of equine therapy, a friend suggested that Gullet make Honey a therapy horse. Her daughter’s immediate attachment showed Honey’s ability to make people smile.
This led to the creation of Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures, in 2018. Since its establishment, Gullet has acquired eleven additional therapy horses. Starting with nursing homes, the organization began to offer its services to hospitals but found it very difficult to get approval to bring Honey or her siblings into some facilities.
“Hospitals didn’t welcome us with open arms,” says Gullet. “We had to prove therapy horses could make a difference.”
For example, it took five years to get AdventHealth Tampa’s permission.
As soon as Gullet, and her team, began to travel to different locations, it became clear that there was a need for equine therapy in the area. People of all ages benefited from the organization’s visits. From children with special needs or chronic illnesses to seniors living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Gullet’s horses had an undeniable impact.
“There’s not a population that doesn’t benefit,” Gullet says. “I’ve seen it benefit the youngest of the community to the oldest of the community.”
People “light up” when they interact with therapy horses, she says. This is because horses have “a unique way to help humans heal.” They “connect with the human heart” and give “a special energy.” Gullet and her team have seen their therapy horses reduce stress and anxiety for many of the people they have worked with. “Working with equines helps humans practice vulnerability while building trust, compassion, confidence, empathy, healthy communication skills and setting or breaking down boundaries,” she explains.
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of clinical research to demonstrate this. Gullet, more than anyone, understands the implications. Funding has been challenging for the Honey’s therapyteam. We “are doing as much work as we possibly can with the resources we have.” Gullet has recently partnered with Lakeland Regional Health, where she is employed as a social worker, to begin work on a clinical research study.
Gullet envisions a future where organizations like Honey’s thrive in all states, and around the world. Individuals from Brazil and Italy have already shown interest.
“A light always shines the brightest in the dark. Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures provide a beacon of hope in people’s darkest moments, and it has truly been the most incredible experience of my life”, Gullet says.
The impact therapy horses can have on mental health is profound. Gullet and the Honey’s team see this every day. Often, they visit the same locations every week.
“My dream, as a mental health professional, is for more hospitals and organizations to implement policy changes to allow trained therapy horses,” Gullet shares.
Despite facing obstacles, one thing is for certain. Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures will continue to spread joy and inspire others to do the same.♦