About Us
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Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Equine Assisted Services provides the promotion of literacy services and reading encouragement for children as well as assisted equine activities for children and adults with special needs, development issues or disabilities, 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. |
Meet our Board of Directors
President and Founder as well as the minis chief caregiver, healthcare director, treat dispenser, scheduling facilitator, nose kisser, boo boo fixer, transportation specialist, fashion coordinator, promotion and PR manager and fundraising organizer - Terry Holmes-Stecyk
After a 40+ year successful career as a dental hygienist, she was looking to fill her retirement days with something purposeful. She created Tender Little Hearts as a means to continue her lifelong passion of horses and combine it with her desire to serve others. Terry states: "I have truly found my purpose in life through the work we do in literacy promotion and our senior enrichment visits. Six years and counting, there is nothing that brings me more joy and fulfillment in life."
After a 40+ year successful career as a dental hygienist, she was looking to fill her retirement days with something purposeful. She created Tender Little Hearts as a means to continue her lifelong passion of horses and combine it with her desire to serve others. Terry states: "I have truly found my purpose in life through the work we do in literacy promotion and our senior enrichment visits. Six years and counting, there is nothing that brings me more joy and fulfillment in life."
Recording Secretary - Judy Taylor
Judy is a retired registered nurse, a retired commercial real estate agent and was the manager of a successful construction company. She is an amazing quilter, a gourmet chef, a genealogist and National Division Chair for National Society Daughter of the American Revolution, NSDAR. She is currently working as the manager of Sur La Table in Maryland, but thanks to ZOOM, she can continue her role as an advisor and assistant with our PR needs.
Judy is a retired registered nurse, a retired commercial real estate agent and was the manager of a successful construction company. She is an amazing quilter, a gourmet chef, a genealogist and National Division Chair for National Society Daughter of the American Revolution, NSDAR. She is currently working as the manager of Sur La Table in Maryland, but thanks to ZOOM, she can continue her role as an advisor and assistant with our PR needs.
Treasurer - Don Stecyk
Don must ask himself every day; why did I marry a "horse girl". Don is the fixing champion of the world as things on a ranch break down and his engineering background comes in very handy! He repairs the tractor, the well, our appliances, any electrical need... He's pretty amazing and has saved us a lot of money! He is a fabulous ambassador at our special visits, and when I can get him to come on a visit, is an absolute delight with the children.
Don must ask himself every day; why did I marry a "horse girl". Don is the fixing champion of the world as things on a ranch break down and his engineering background comes in very handy! He repairs the tractor, the well, our appliances, any electrical need... He's pretty amazing and has saved us a lot of money! He is a fabulous ambassador at our special visits, and when I can get him to come on a visit, is an absolute delight with the children.
Director - Jennifer Koselke
Jennifer is a our amazing therapy vest designer and fashionista specialist. There is no such thing as too much sparkle, too many bows or ruffles! And her sparkling personality shines through on all she does for and with Tender Little Hearts! Jennifer has her own mini herd and shares them within her community of Apache Junction. We are blessed beyond belief to have her on our team and as our newest board member.
Jennifer is a our amazing therapy vest designer and fashionista specialist. There is no such thing as too much sparkle, too many bows or ruffles! And her sparkling personality shines through on all she does for and with Tender Little Hearts! Jennifer has her own mini herd and shares them within her community of Apache Junction. We are blessed beyond belief to have her on our team and as our newest board member.
Co-Founder, Past Vice President and Recording Secretary. - Cindy Gibson
We express our sincere gratitude to our vision and mission co-founder, Cindy Gibson, for her many years of service to Tender Little Hearts, serving on our Board and as our primary volunteer handler. While she has retired from the board, Cindy does continue as a cherished volunteer and advisor. Her experience with nonprofits, mini horses and donkeys, her dedication to equine assisted learning and the holistic touch she brings to all she does brings strength and positive energy to our organization.
We express our sincere gratitude to our vision and mission co-founder, Cindy Gibson, for her many years of service to Tender Little Hearts, serving on our Board and as our primary volunteer handler. While she has retired from the board, Cindy does continue as a cherished volunteer and advisor. Her experience with nonprofits, mini horses and donkeys, her dedication to equine assisted learning and the holistic touch she brings to all she does brings strength and positive energy to our organization.
