Our Story...
It all started one spring day when Sheryl was watching a television show. It was a story about a lady in Texas who was training Miniature Horses to visit sick children right inside the hospitals. "That's when I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life", she recalls. After a web search to locate the woman on that show, Sheryl was excited to learn about a training program she was offering at her farm just outside of Austin. A few short weeks later, Sheryl and her husband Dan were on their way to Texas.
Sheryl and Dan trained for two weeks to learn how to teach the horses their special skills. Those horses were amazing! "We watched them load in and out of vans, go up and down stairs, ride in elevators, and we also witnessed the most incredible part of the whole trip... the horses interacting with the patients. It was life changing to say the least."
After one particular visit to a nursing home, it was clear to Dan that Sheryl had made a connection with one of the tiny horses. His name was Charlie Horse. He was just barely a year old, cute as a button, and he had a lot of personality. And those blue eyes! Forget it... She was hooked!
Against his better judgment - but knowing full well the deal was already done in her heart, Dan purchased Charlie. "How in the World are we gonna get this guy home?" Dan thought.
Because of Charlie's unique training, he had already learned to load in and out of the Mini Van and was deemed a good rider. It was decided that Charlie would ride back to Tennessee in the family SUV.
What a crazy trip back home. It was during the weekend of spring break. The college kids were all coming back from weeks of partying. They would pass by the truck, look inside, see a miniature horse in the back seat, and do a triple take! It was fun to watch. Several folks took pictures of Charlie riding in our SUV on their camera phones.
Charlie stayed overnight at a boarding stall at the half way mark in Arkansas. He was a bit afraid of all the huge race horses in the stalls next to him. The next morning, he hopped right back into the SUV. It was a tough eighteen hour ride home, but it was well worth it.
Once home, Sheryl & Dan went about the tasks of building a safe and loving environment for Charlie. The family property on Old Hickory Lake just outside of Nashville was now renamed "Itty Bitty Acres". Small in size, but filled with love.
It wasn't long before we added a friend for Charlie. His name was Sweet Pea, and from the moment they met they became the best of friends. In December of 2008, Sheryl discovered that the farm where Sweet Pea was aquired had a very special new arrival. Born only 13 inches tall, he is quite literally one of the smallest horses on the planet. "Boo Boo", is now undergoing the special training needed for his unique visits and will be making his debut appearance very soon. Don't blink, he might run right bye you... under your legs!
In 2007 a board of directors was formed, and MINI HEARTS was born!
Sheryl's dream to bring her minis to the people in her community that need it the most became a reality when Mini Hearts received its 501(C)3 status from the IRS in November of 2008.
Anyone who's ever been around these amazing creatures knows how calming and therapeutic they are. We continue to seek out individuals who need our unique services and look forward to serving our community.
Thanks for visiting!