Tender Little Hearts
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About Us

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Congratulations to our President/Founder, Terry Holmes-Stecyk, who has obtained her certification as an Equine Specialist with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl. as well as certification in the Eagala Model as a qualified Equine Specialist,
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Both organizations require a licensed, credentialed professional and a qualified Equine Specialist who structures sessions incorporating horses or donkeys to effectively address the client’s treatment plan or learning goals.
Tender Little Hearts was conceived as an equine therapy outreach program for children and adults.  We aspire to create an environment where every horse is given a purpose to enrich a human life, bring joy and comfort, and leave every person with a reason to smile.
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This corporation was organized exclusively as an assisted equine therapy outreach for children and adults. Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Equine Assisted Services provides the promotion of literacy services and reading encouragement for children as well as assisted therapy activities for children and adults with special needs, development issues or disabilities, veterans with PTSD or are in need of emotional relief therapy, homes serving abused or at-risk children, foster homes and centers, Hospice, hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities, senior care centers, memory care facilities and more. These services include the use of a qualified miniature therapy horse or miniature therapy donkey and handler.

Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales brings reading opportunities to those who would benefit from the interaction with a therapy animal. By using our miniature therapy horses and donkeys to encourage readers, we provide a safe, empowering environment to spur on literacy growth. Together, we can inspire readers to develop new confidence in reading, giving them the opportunity to unfold their imagination, gain new knowledge and stretch their confidence in what they can accomplish.

Tender Little Hearts Equine Assisted Services visits touch the lives of those most in need. They provide therapeutic comfort, a source of emotional confidence and confidentiality in their interactions. The simple act of petting animals releases an automatic relaxation response, lowers anxiety, reduces loneliness, increases mental stimulation, provides a happy distraction, even acting as a catalyst to reduce resistance in the therapy process.
 
Miniature horses make great companions for therapy because they can mirror and respond to human behavior. Being herding animals, they rely on an acute stream of sensory data to sense safety or danger; they can also hear the human heartbeat within four feet, and research on heart-rate variability indicates that horses have a profound ability to synchronize their own heartbeat with that of human beings. When people are introduced to the herd environment for therapy, horses respond within the same spectrum of physical and emotional responses that govern their own behavior, allowing therapists an insight into the inner psychology of the client.

​At Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Equine Assisted Services, 
we are driven by a single goal — to do our part in making the world a better place.
"​These little horses can do powerful things. I had to share this story from one of my site visits. You often never know the impact an encounter can make. This affirmed every second of time I dedicate to equine mini therapy."  Founder, Terry Holmes-Stecyk
We’re making friends, warming hearts, sharing smiles and spreading joy, one tender little heart at a time.

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"THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING JUST HAPPENED!!! We’ve been struggling, a lot, because of MJ’s current conditions. Yesterday my soul was completely crushed, when I was watching her try to eat, which is always a struggle due to her very declining HD, but even more so with her one eye. I just got a text from my mom’s nurse with this photograph... I literally flew my body up out of the chair, in complete shock and joy!!! THEY BROUGHT TWO HORSES TO MY MOM!!! They didn’t tell me. I had always thought about doing this but didn’t think it was possible! I was going to speed over there to see but they just left! She told me that my mom perked up, asked a ton of questions and knew exactly what was going on. She told me that she was shocked because MJ was a natural. I had to explain to her nurse that that’s why MJ thinks she is moving to the horse farm, with her boyfriend, everyday! They think it’s her dementia, but it’s not! It was her life and passion for as long as I’ve known my mom! I have been doing A LOT of praying, to God and our loved ones on the other side, specifically my grandpa. I literally prayed out loud to him, in my car, in the parking lot of the nursing home, crying, as I left my mom, yesterday. I told him that he better give her comfort, and me strength, so that I can give her as much comfort and love as I can, while I can. I just happened to look at the horse’s name tag, her name is Dolly! My grandpa called me that my whole life! I am so filled with joy and love that my heart could seriously explode! There really is hope, kindness, and love hiding around every corner! My faith in humanity and God is restored! This may have just made both of our lives complete! I’m ugly crying all of the happiest of tears!"
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Updated 12/21/2022
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  • Home
    • Donate >
      • SUPERSTAR Sponsors
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • About Mini Tales
    • Read to our Minis
    • Giddy Up and Read
  • About Equine Assisted Services
    • Testimonials
    • Gallery
  • Special Events
  • In the News
    • Awards
  • At the Ranch
  • Rescue
  • Gallery