Working Like Dogs

In Part 2 in our series on Miniature Horses, listen in as Debbie Garcia-Bengochea talks about how the all-volunteer, charity Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses that serves over 25,000 adults and children annually. Teams of tiny horses visit libraries, hospitals and hospice programs to work with individuals, families, veterans and first responders. These specially trained pint-sized equines have responded to countless traumatic events including Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Pulse Nightclub and many other mass incidents and natural disasters. Debbie gives us a fascinating “behind the scenes” look into their off-duty natural habitat and how herd leaders guide them in their development and socialization as successful therapy horses.

BIO:

Debbie Garcia- Bengochea is an award winning commercial artist and photographer. She is also a former school principal.  Debbie and her husband  Jorge co-founded Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and for the past 20 years the all-volunteer charity has served over 25,000 adults and children each year.  As the education director for Gentle Carousel, Debbie created Reading Is Magic, a literacy program to encourage young and at-risk readers.  Debbie and the therapy horses "bring books to life" inside bookstores, libraries, schools and book festivals across the country.  They also deliver books to at-risk children in high crime neighborhoods.