10-03-2025
BBC Make a Difference Awards: A day in the life of therapy horse
There cannot be many horses that can fit in a lift, or would be happy to travel in one, but Mr Kelloggs takes it all in his stride. The 10-year-old British miniature horse works as a therapy animal, and the lift he is reversing into is at Eagles Mount Care Home in Poole. Last year, Mr Kelloggs won a BBC Make a Difference Animal Award, which is given to an animal that has a positive impact on people's lives, or to someone who works with animals to improve animal welfare. Nominations are now open for this year's awards. As the small horse starts his tour of Eagles Mount, first visiting residents who cannot easily move out of their rooms, it is clear to see why he is a worthy winner.
Bringing back memories for Malcolm
First Mr Kelloggs visits married couple Malcolm and Beryl, and Malcolm is very keen to feed him some biscuits. His owner Megan Gledhill politely explains that is not allowed. Then Malcolm comes out with a revelation: "My dad used to show horses, all through the summer."He went from Bournemouth, to Harrogate, Leeds, Manchester city ground, he trained them." The care home staff said they never knew this about him. "It's amazing, the joy it brings to them," says Alison Williams, who is responsible for wellbeing at the home and organised the visit. "It brings back so many memories of when they had their own pets, and we've heard stories today that we've never heard before, about people that kept horses, and we never knew that about them," she adds.
Kisses for Eileen
Next it is the turn of Eileen and Ray. "Come here baby, give us a kiss," says Eileen. Obediently, Mr Kelloggs edges closer and lifts his nose to Eileen's face for a kiss. Eileen is delighted: "That's it Ray, you're dumped now", the staff is a wrench for Eileen when it it time for Mr Kelloggs to leave, but another visit is promised. The tour continues into the rooms of Lesley and Mary. "What's his name?" Mary asks, but she is not impressed with the reply."No, that's not a nice name for a beautiful darling like you," she tells him. Megan explains that Mr Kelloggs got his name because he was born in Wales close to the site of one of the factories of the cereal manufacturer.
Lesley's face lights up when Mr Kelloggs enters her room. It brings back memories of a time she rode a is clear to see the impact he has on the residents, and it is the reason why he won a BBC Make a Difference award. Megan's mum Sharon Gledhill, who helps her to run Linking Hearts Therapy Horses, says it is a privilege to do what they do. "A lot of people, especially the people that are bedbound, they're not going to get a chance to go out into the forest and see a horse and be so close to a horse," she says. After touring the rooms, it is time to visit other residents in the lounge. Mr Kelloggs spends at least half an hour in there, meeting everyone individually. As he approaches each person, he is greeted with a big smile. "It's the sensory experience, they get to hug and kiss him and stroke him," says Sharon. "It just brightens them up and puts a spark in their day again."
How to nominate
The Make a Difference Awards recognise and celebrate people, across eight different categories, who are going above and beyond to make a difference where they BBC Local Radio station will host an awards ceremony in awards are a chance to say thank you and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for can be made via the BBC Make a Difference website where you can also see full terms and the privacy close on the 31st March 2025 at 17:00.
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