07-05-2025
Clay-Battelle library hosts meet and greet with miniature horses
BLACKSVILLE, (WBOY) — The Clay-Battelle Public Library in Blacksville welcomed community members Tuesday evening for a meet-and-greet event that offered attendees the opportunity to interact with two miniature therapy horses in an educational setting.
The horses, Stormy and Toby, are certified therapy animals trained by On Eagles' Wings, a nonprofit organization based in Fairmont that specializes in equine-assisted therapy. The gentle nature of the miniature horses serves an important role in supporting individuals facing emotional, psychological, and physical challenges, offering a calming presence through their trained interactions.
'We are so excited to have On Eagles' Wings here, they are a staple in the Fairmont Community, so we wanted to bring them out here to let our patrons know about them,' Clay-Battelle Public Library Assistant Molly Simpson said. 'We've had an awesome group of kids today get to learn about what it means to be a therapy horse, how they've been trained, and then how to interact with them in order to have a positive experience.'
Bleachers being removed from Hite Field for safety reasons
Throughout the event, children and families were invited to engage directly with the horses, learning about their specialized training, daily routines and the therapeutic benefits they provide in various settings such as hospitals, schools and care facilities. The program also helped raise awareness about the impactful role therapy animals play in promoting mental and emotional well-being.
'It's very therapeutic in that they can sense your heart rate, they can sense your mood, and they respond to how the person is feeling,' Miniature Horse Mini Wings Program Coordinator Nancy Hickman said. 'We try and make it an intimate meeting with the horse, so they get to touch the horse, the horse will get up close to them and sniff them.'
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