ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Overcoming Obstacles - Learning to Pivot

Hi, I'm Ana. I'm 14 years old and I have a huge passion for horses. I wanted to share this passion with others so they could enjoy the joy/therapeutic gift that horses can offer. Because of my passion my mom and I started Ana's World of Minis Therapy program.

My story actually starts in Bulgaria, where I was born. I was in the orphanage and foster care system until I was four. I was in the system for so long that I was highlighted as the child of the month. That's where my adoptive parents first saw me, and my whole life changed. I came to America right after my 4th birthday.

I had some difficulty with anger and coping.

When I was six years old, someone suggested

horseback riding, and a whole new world

opened up for me. I loved being on such a

powerful, beautiful animal but feeling in complete control. It was the one area of my life where I felt I was in control. It was also one of the few places where being small was an advantage.

I rode off and on for several years and got really serious when I was 12. I had a fantastic teacher, Regina Ennis (breezymeadowequestriancentre.com). She was strict with me but rebuilt my fundamentals from the ground up. We were preparing for my first competition when my world fell apart. I was diagnosed with a fused neck related to a genetic disorder. The doctor told me if I were thrown, it would be fatal. I remembered when the doctor suggested non-physical activities like baking … my mom thought I was about to attack him. I was heartbroken. My world revolved around horses. I had big plans and dreams that were suddenly gone.

Regina gave me options for riding safely, but I didn't feel safe anymore. I researched everything I could about horses that could be done outside of riding and found liberty training. The problem was my parents aren't horse people and are intimidated by

big horses …. miniatures were the answer. My mom

found an excellent breeder in NY named Karen Miller

(minimakerfarm.com). She invited us for a weekend to

learn about minis and how to show them. Her friend

had a beautiful silver bay for sale that we fell in love

with. We didn't have a trailer but were told that minis could be trailered in minivans … Fortunately, we were driving a minivan! We surprised my dad with the great news when we got home. I got my first horse to train, and my parents started marital counseling. It was a great weekend.

Roxy came a couple of months after. The funny thing about minis, you can't just have one. I joined 4H and am working with Renee Tanzi (passionforhorsesnj.com) to show the horses. Between my life coach, Ms. Elizabeth Occhipinti (miriamsheart.org) suggesting I start a pony party business, my dad encouraging me to move from a "cost center" to a "profit center" to pay for the minis, and my mom's love of planning parties - a pony party was born.

I've learned much about work, marketing, websites, party planning, revenue, insurance, budgets, taxes, etc. This has been such a great adventure for me. I'm grateful to my family and those who encouraged and invested in me. I am learning daily that life doesn't always go how you want it to, but God has a plan for me.

 

Roxxy is now a certified therapy horse, and we are making 3 to 5 visits each week to nursing homes, libraries, and schools. I enjoy making these visits with Roxxy. The joy and smiles she brings warm the resident's hearts, mine, and my mom's. I really love what I do. We have a new certified therapy horse named Roo who started with us in October. He’s such a sweetie.

This month (November 2023) is our ONE year anniversary of Ana’s World of Minis Therapy Program. It’s been amazing year with 90 visits to facilities.

We have huge plans for 2024. We are starting a pilot program in special education classes working one on one with children to help develop character, compassion, connection, and self confidence. This will be a wonderful way for children to benefit from equine touch based therapy.

We charge the bare minimum for our visits but unfortunately to keep this program up and running we need help from you. Would you please consider giving to keep this wonderful program up and running? Animals are expensive. These funds would help offset the cost of our liability insurance, equipment, and transportation. Thank you for your consideration.