Tender Little Hearts has a unique niche in Animal Assisted Learning and Services.  Our qualified therapy equines and handler volunteers conveniently transport our miniature horses and donkeys around the Valley, anywhere a human can benefit from the programs and services we offer. Given we are mobile and use miniature equines, we can bring these therapy animals to individuals who could not otherwise travel to a location for the benefit of the activities or therapy they offer. 
We also offer our activities at our ranch for those wishing a more private visit. 

 Our programs offer comfort, joyfulness, empowerment, self-esteem, unconditional love and many other therapeutic benefits while interacting with our miniature horses and donkeys.  We provide the qualified equine partner for adults and children with disabilities and will work with their speech therapist, counselors, OT and PT therapist.

We require all our equines to pass a skills and aptitude evaluation every two years to remain qualified as a therapy animal. Our therapy animals are qualified through the Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association (METSA), American Miniature Therapy Horse Organization (AMTHA) and registered as therapy animals with Register My Service Animal.  Our volunteer handlers are trained to demonstrate best practices in handling, evaluating the requirements of a therapy animal team beyond basic obedience skills and receive a yearly update for training and refreshment of our handler methods.

Our Founder/President, Terry Holmes-Stecyk is certified as an Equine Specialist with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl).  Terry is also a facilitator for Horse Powered Reading®. 

​ We are registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission and approved as a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the IRS,
tax ID number 83-4236909.​​ We are also an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization – QCO #22408. 

What is a Miniature Horse?

Miniature horses or "minis" were first developed or selectively bred in Europe in the 1600s, and by 1765 they were seen frequently as the pets of nobility. Others were used in coal mines in England and continental Europe. Small British horses, as well as small Dutch mine horses, were brought to the US throughout the late 1800s.

The first mention of a small horse being imported to the United States was in 1888. In the mid-1880's, Mr. Patrick Newtall and his son-in-law, Mr. Juan Falabella discovered small horses among the tribes of the Pampas Indians in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Through successive crossings, they gradually bred the first well proportioned miniatures under 38 inches tall, the specialty breed of "Falabellas." 

It is believed that the American Miniature horse utilized the blood of the English and Dutch mine horses brought to this country in the 19th century and used in some Appalachian coal mines as late as 1950. The American Miniature horse, as documented in the pedigrees of some miniatures today, also drew upon the blood of the Shetland pony.

As these small horses were being imported to the United States in the early 1900’s, Mr. Norman Fields of Bedford, Virginia started to raise them for working in the coal mines. By 1964, he had 50 miniature horses in his herd. Another breeder who promoted miniature horses in America was Walter Smith McCoy. He bred small "pit ponies" in West Virginia in the early 1900s to sell to the mining companies. When machines began replacing the ponies, McCoy began to sell his smallest horses for better prices as novelty pets and exhibition animals.

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Meet our Qualified and Registered Team Partners

Private Maserati - "Mazy" - Birthday 4/12/2007

​Maserati (Mazy) is a registered miniature horse.  He is 16 years old and our most handsome therapy horse. Mazy had an early career as a show horse and was an International Reserve Champion in the color division.  He is a gorgeous liver chestnut and has an amazing flaxen colored mane, forelock and tail.  Mazy excels as a therapy horse with his extra calm nature. He makes a unique connection to those most in need of comfort or nurturing.  And loves to be a part of a special event.

Nachos Poquito Doll - "Dolly"  - Birthday 5/17/2015

Dolly is a registered miniature horse. She is 8 years old and a brave little therapy mare who wants nothing more than to be your friend and be loved. Her color is called a silver dappled Gruella and she has lovely blue eyes. Dolly adores being groomed and pampered with bows in her mane and loves her sparkly shoes. Dolly was also a show horse in her youth and still loves to prance in parades.  She is a cuddly hugger and an engaging therapy horse. Dolly is also a very patient listener and loves to have stories read to her. 

Bet Your Blue Boone - "Boone" - Birthday 8/8/2011

Boone is a registered miniature Sicilian donkey. She is 12 years old. Donkeys are a highly intelligent animal, despite a popular misconception of them being stubborn (well, maybe she is just a little). While Boone may be small, she is mighty sweet in personality and full of love. As a therapy donkey, she is a favorite amongst our home visitors as she quickly engages for attention and scratches.  Come meet Boone and perhaps read The Wonky Donkey or The Dinkey Donkey or The Grinny Granny Donkey to her.

Boone is also very popular at the Trailheads of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  Boone is a Pathfinder Ambassador and helps visitors choose the best trails for hikers, bikers and horse riders. 

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Buddy - Gotcha Day - 1/31/2021

Buddy is a 17 year old miniature horse. His color is called a silver dappled Grulla.  Buddy knows a few tricks and loves to play with his visitors.  He fetches his bone, plays ball, shakes hooves and rings the bell. He loves to be groomed, hugged, go for walks and just a loveable little guy we can't wait to share with the world.  ​Plan a visit and come play with Buddy!

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Josie - Gotcha Day - 2/15/2022

We are very excited Josie is now here in Arizona with us.  She was rescued from a kill pen in Oklahoma by Mini Angel Eyes.  As with many rescued females, she was pregnant and unsure if the papa was another mini donkey or a mini stallion.  Josie had a beautiful baby boy donkey who now lives in Colorado and will become a therapy donkey. Josie is approximately the same age as Boone and they are BFF girlfriends.  And she has the loudest bray!  Even Boone gives her "a look" when she let's out a full HEE HAW!  Josie had her first Mini Tales visit in an elementary school library where 25 children read to her.  She stayed attentive, engaged and seems to have enjoyed the outing. She is going to be one of our crowd favorites very soon!  

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Blueberry - Gotcha Day - 3/5/2023

​Meet our newest family member, Blueberry. He is a natural, so sweet and engaging with the children and is completely at ease on library visits, parades, and events he's attended.  We are hoping to train him to pull a cart as he is so chill about everything. He's quickly becoming a crowd favorite with that Blue Roan coloring and gentle nature.  Blueberry is 9 years old and we hope to have many years sharing this sweet boy!

Thank you to Jayne Vatcher and Cre8tive Events for allowing Blue to become part of our family.
He’s already so loved!!!!

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