MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Colorado State University Veterinarians help miniature horses who help individuals with disabilities

WHAT:     Two miniature horses used in therapy for the disabled, ill and elderly, will be at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for one of the horses’ follow-up exam to eye surgery.      

WHEN/WHERE:      Large animal reception area, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 23. The hospital is at 300 W. Drake Road.

DETAILS:     Two miniature horses, Dolly and Snuggles, will visit the VTH on Friday at 11 a.m. for ophthalmology check-ups following Snuggles’ laser eye surgery in October. Snuggles, who is 4 years old, lost her left eye when she was a month old to an infection and her right eye has glaucoma. Although it’s unlikely that Snuggles will ever have much ability to see, her work to help others has not been hindered by her sight. Dolly is traveling with Snuggles to keep her company.

The visit will be somewhat of a role-reversal because the two travel across the state of Texas visiting rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, Alzheimer’s units, special needs children centers and hospitals to bring cheer to patients through equine therapeutic healing.

The two are part of a group of miniature horses from Hearts and Hooves, located in Lubbock, Texas, which has struggled with rehabilitation of its own miniature horses after the group of five were attacked by pit bulls a year ago. Two of the horses died as a result of the attacks. While the surviving three miniature horses — Honor, Sparkles and PepperJack — were recovering, Dolly and Snuggles joined the team. All five are often used in the mission of Hearts and Hooves.

Please arrive by 10:45 a.m. RSVPs are required. Contact Dell Rae Moellenberg by 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at (970) 491-6009 or dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu.

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