Meet Black Jack, the Mini Therapy Horse

Black Jack is a very special miniature horse. He has visited thousands of people and always makes them smile.

• We've listened to hundreds of stories about growing up riding horses or mules to school.
• We've seen a patient paralyzed from an accident smile for the first time when Black Jack walked into his room.
• We've taken many walks down the hallway with a gentleman who dreamed of being a Cowboy. He adopted Black Jack as his horse. Then we lost our Cowboy, but he was able to fulfill his dream of "owning" a horse.
• We've watched as people brush Black Jack and seem to go into another world of peace and happiness.
• We've watched as children pet a horse for the first time.
• We've watched our senior friends living in long-term care facilities increase their socialization time and decrease their loneliness.

Posing with our heros from the Kansas City Fire Department
during a visit at the Rose Brooks Domestic Violence Shelter in Kansas City, Missouri

The special ability Black Jack possesses is something I couldn’t teach him. I’ve only taught him to trust me in all situations. He will follow me anywhere I take him, even inside facilities.

During a visit, Black Jack becomes calm and allows everyone to gather around him to pet and brush him. Sometimes all of the brushing will put him to sleep. He loves to put his head in the lap of someone in a wheel chair, allowing them to stroke his face and nose.

AMHR: 269816T
(American Miniature Horse Registry)

Pet Partner ID: 56202
Expiration Date: 2011

Born: March 31, 2005
Height: 34 inches
Weight: Approximately 400 pounds
Sex: Gelding