Mini Joys Inc

    If you have ever experienced that special connection with a beloved pet, you will have a glimpse of the role of these tiny miniature horses in helping to touch hearts and provide hope.

     From the teen living in an area shelter home, to the young sweet child battling cancer, to the senior in memory care, and to the family walking through the challenges of raising a non-verbal autistic child, the Mini Joys gentle, loving horses work their "magic".

   Using these gentle miniature horses to help promote joy, hope and healing is the mission of the Mini Joys outreach. A broad range of ages are served, and though their daily lives vary greatly, each and every one is facing tough challenges.

    In school classrooms, and with the at-risk youth, life lessons are designed and taught while students are enjoying hands-on interaction with the horses. Lesson topics include Trust, Quality Character Traits,  Being Wonderfully Made, (learning to be all that YOU were meant to be!) and now our newest anti-bullying curriculum and book, "Big Bully Buddy, Finding Friendship".

    At the conclusion of a program for teens staying in a temporary shelter home, one seventeen year-old girl stated, "This has been the best day of my life, can we come back tomorrow?".  This was after a few hours of learning and practicing her new horse skills, and gaining more confidence and trust in herself, her social workers, and the Mini Joys volunteer staff.

     Programs focus on five main areas of outreach in our community: At-risk youth and teens, special education (with an emphasis on those with Autism), servicing other community non-profits, too often forgotten seniors, and children/families facing severe medical challenges.  

    The tiny minis are frequent guests in area school's special needs classrooms, shelter homes, senior homes, children's hospitals and also come alongside other community nonprofit groups to help them meet the needs of those they serve.

    While working with youth who have tremendously difficult home lives, a social worker or counselor is often involved while the students are learning lessons and spending hands-on time with the minis.  The horses are used as a tool to build confidence and trust and to help break down the emotional walls often built by past hurts and disappointments. 

    At a time when life is tough, connecting with a tiny horse wearing little shoes from Build-a Bear is sure to make you smile.  Laughter often errupts as loving volunteers interact with the young children, teens, seniors, and veterans and hope for a brighter day takes root.

    Thank you for helping mini horses to help heal many hearts!

Any questions, contact: minijoys@live.com   

208-830-3227, in Boise            

    Please see our website or the Mini Joys facebook page for more information.  Be sure to check out the feedback tab. Your gift to Mini Joys is the gift that keeps on giving!

        www.minijoys.wix.com/mini-joys                               visit the Mini Joys facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/MiniJoys/158704454223892