"Tender Little Hearts made a very special visit to the kindergarten students at North Ranch Elementary school this year. Terry and the volunteers put so much time and effort into making this an amazing experience for the students and staff at our school. Each child was given special time to read to the horses as well as a chance to help groom and give hugs. I know the kids will remember this experience for many years." - Brittany M
"An absolute must! The whole experience was such a joy, my girls were in heaven. The horses & donkeys are so much fun to interact with and gentle with the kids. This was our 2nd visit, and we will definitely come back on our next visit to Scottsdale." - Amanda B
"What an endearing organization to be a part of. The minis are ambassadors of cheer, friendship and encouragement at every venue and event they attend. Seeing a smile spread across the face of a bed-ridden elder or a shy, withdrawn tween is simply magic. From the Kiwanis Christmas event in Cave Creek to the Parada del Sol in Old Scottsdale, the minis are well-behaved and wear their costumes with ease and spunk! Terry runs a superb organization and is happy to schedule the minis wherever they can bring comfort, therapy or promote literacy." Betsy E
"Terri and her sweet mini horses come to our Memory Care community once per month and I can't begin to say how beneficial this is to my residents. The horses come beautifully groomed and even dress to the occasion! Terri and her volunteers make sure each resident has sufficient time interacting with the horses and it has become a favorite activity of my residents AND family members. The horses are calm and loving almost as if they know they are in a special setting. I highly recommend Terri and her team from Tender Little Hearts!" Rachel S
"As a volunteer for Tender Little Hearts Mini Therapy, I have seen first hand the positive effects their visits have on the residents of Senior Homes and Memory Care Facilities. I love the smiles that spread as you hear, “Oh, the little horses are here!” and the stories that are shared as childhood memories are roused. These mini therapists are equally effective with children. Listening to a child read to a horse, while ensuring their new friend can see the pictures is magical! As guests, Terry is meticulous about the cleanliness and behavior of her horses. The fact that she cares enormously about her minis as well as the people with whom she interacts, accounts for the many return visit requests she receives. I can’t imagine a better charity to support through use of their services, donations, or volunteer hours!" Sharon W
"I scheduled my parents and children to enjoy an hour with Tender Little Hearts. Our first impression was how clean and welcoming the ranch is. The animals were friendly and so gentle with our young kids. Buddy even did tricks with our 4 year old son. Boon, the little donkey, greeted us first as the horses were getting ready for us to meet and brush them. We were so impressed with the safety practices. Terry led from one side of the horse as our youngest walked each around the small poles and cones. Then, my shy daughter actually read to the mini horses! This organization visits many different places each month, yet they make time for private home visits too. We highly recommend Tender Little Hearts. It might be a bit of a drive, but it is 110% worth it! _Teri M
"Wonderful mission, beautiful animals and caring people. Our son's school had Tender Little Hearts visit them while kids had opportunity to read to mini horses. Our son was so moved by the experience that we contacted Terry and arranged to come visit this beautiful and gentle creatures. What a joy it was. He got to groom them, do agility course with them. At the end Terry read a book to our 6 year old son, surrounded by mini donkeys and horses. Ever since, I can tell that our son's interest for learning reading had excelled. Thank you so very much. We definitely will be back." Karina F
"I had the pleasure of meeting Terry and her mini horses at a children's reading encouragement event at Bookmans Phoenix. It's clear all of the volunteers care very much about making the experience as positive as possible for the children and minis. The minis wear special shoes to protect their hooves and were dressed as superheroes, which the children were so excited about! It's heartwarming to see how excited the children are to read to a mini. No one wanted to be done, lots of photos were taken, even parents seemed very excited! Terry is calm and organized throughout it all. She kept the event running smoothly and calmly for everyone involved." - Allison W
"Terry and her team are amazing! She has such a generous spirit and gives so freely of her time and passion. Dolly, Mazy, Buddy, Boone and Josie bring so many smiles wherever they go. Young, old and everyone in between love spending time hugging, brushing, playing and reading to these sweet kindness ambassadors. Such an awesome program!! Thank you Terry, Minis and all volunteers for making your visits possible. Keep up the great mission for every tender little heart💖" - Jennifer K
"We had Terry’s minis for our nonprofit event The Something So Worth It All Abilities Marketplace. We serve children with disabilities and the horses were a highlight of the day. I saw so many smiles and the horses were so sweet and dressed up so cute for the event. This organization is great with children with special needs." Allison L
"My mother is in a skilled nursing facility and she sent me a picture of her with adorable miniature horses. I asked the nurse about this and she said they were from Tender Little Hearts. These little horses brought so much joy to my Mom. She was laughing as she told me about them, a sound I haven't heard for a while. Thank you, Tender Little Hearts, for bringing my Mom, and others, so much happiness. You are a bright light in this Covid filled world." - Anna D
"Thank you to Terry and all her volunteers who came to our facility with their mini ponies. The smiles on our resident's faces was priceless! Volunteers like you genuinely change the world! Thank you for your time and for caring so deeply about the well-being of others. We look forward to seeing you all again!" - Terry L
"I had the privilege of meeting this organization at a fundraiser for Childhelp. It was a Superhero event and I can see why Terry and her amazing miniature horses were invited guests as they are SUPERHEROES!!!! I looked through their website and Facebook page. Never have I known an organization to be so dedicated to helping others! And at no charge for their time. The horses are adorable, sparkling clean and so well cared for. Kudos to Tender Little Hearts for your huge heart, kindness and bringing joy to so many." Don W
"This is an experience everyone should have, young and old alike! Terry and her team of volunteers are so great to work with and amazing with the kiddos. The mini horses are all well behaved and looking great; interactions with kids from K to 10th grade were fantastic. This truly made memories to last a lifetime; we can not wait to have Tender Little Hearts back!" Jarrin R
"I have had the opportunity to not only visit Tender Little Hearts minis and miniature donkey at their home but also at the Arizona Veterans Home as a volunteer. I have always been very impressed with the professional manner in which the horses are transported, cared for, and supported in their therapy work. The loving interaction between the minis and their handlers is a joy to observe. As it has been said, these beautiful animals "won the lottery" when they came to live with Terry Holmes Stecyk. They are her children and they are pampered, spoiled, and lovingly cared for with grooming, toys, treats, kisses, and interaction. I support the important mission of Tender Little Hearts and Assisted Equine Mini Therapy and their wonderful ambassadors, Dolly, Buddy, and Mazy." - Judy T
"We love hosting the minis at Fountain Hills Library, where children can read to them without trepidation. It is a perfect combination for struggling readers. We've been able to have Terry host a virtual story time and personal interview as well. Thank you, Terry, for your dedication to children and reading." Christy V
"Tender Little Hearts was such a fun place to take the kids! The mini horses, and donkey were so gentle and our girls absolutely loved grooming them and walking them through the obstacles. Thank you so much to Terry and volunteers for a such a great family experience!" Rachel V
"We spent an hour with these sweet horses and it was magical! Terry did a wonderful job empowering my son to take the lead while keeping safety in mind. We will be back!" Sarah G
"World class customer service. Highly recommended. Outstanding experience for customers. Kind and generous staff." Mark S
"I absolutely love this program! They visit my facility a few times a year, my residents enjoy and look forward to the mini horses visiting them." Angeline L
"Terri was so kind and we absolutely loved the horses. We took 5 kids and they had a great interactive experience. Great way to spend a afternoon." Lezli P
"Small horses, big fun. Thank you, Tender Little Hearts!" Emily S
"An absolute must! The whole experience was such a joy, my girls were in heaven. The horses & donkeys are so much fun to interact with and gentle with the kids. This was our 2nd visit, and we will definitely come back on our next visit to Scottsdale." - Amanda B
"What an endearing organization to be a part of. The minis are ambassadors of cheer, friendship and encouragement at every venue and event they attend. Seeing a smile spread across the face of a bed-ridden elder or a shy, withdrawn tween is simply magic. From the Kiwanis Christmas event in Cave Creek to the Parada del Sol in Old Scottsdale, the minis are well-behaved and wear their costumes with ease and spunk! Terry runs a superb organization and is happy to schedule the minis wherever they can bring comfort, therapy or promote literacy." Betsy E
"Terri and her sweet mini horses come to our Memory Care community once per month and I can't begin to say how beneficial this is to my residents. The horses come beautifully groomed and even dress to the occasion! Terri and her volunteers make sure each resident has sufficient time interacting with the horses and it has become a favorite activity of my residents AND family members. The horses are calm and loving almost as if they know they are in a special setting. I highly recommend Terri and her team from Tender Little Hearts!" Rachel S
"As a volunteer for Tender Little Hearts Mini Therapy, I have seen first hand the positive effects their visits have on the residents of Senior Homes and Memory Care Facilities. I love the smiles that spread as you hear, “Oh, the little horses are here!” and the stories that are shared as childhood memories are roused. These mini therapists are equally effective with children. Listening to a child read to a horse, while ensuring their new friend can see the pictures is magical! As guests, Terry is meticulous about the cleanliness and behavior of her horses. The fact that she cares enormously about her minis as well as the people with whom she interacts, accounts for the many return visit requests she receives. I can’t imagine a better charity to support through use of their services, donations, or volunteer hours!" Sharon W
"I scheduled my parents and children to enjoy an hour with Tender Little Hearts. Our first impression was how clean and welcoming the ranch is. The animals were friendly and so gentle with our young kids. Buddy even did tricks with our 4 year old son. Boon, the little donkey, greeted us first as the horses were getting ready for us to meet and brush them. We were so impressed with the safety practices. Terry led from one side of the horse as our youngest walked each around the small poles and cones. Then, my shy daughter actually read to the mini horses! This organization visits many different places each month, yet they make time for private home visits too. We highly recommend Tender Little Hearts. It might be a bit of a drive, but it is 110% worth it! _Teri M
"Wonderful mission, beautiful animals and caring people. Our son's school had Tender Little Hearts visit them while kids had opportunity to read to mini horses. Our son was so moved by the experience that we contacted Terry and arranged to come visit this beautiful and gentle creatures. What a joy it was. He got to groom them, do agility course with them. At the end Terry read a book to our 6 year old son, surrounded by mini donkeys and horses. Ever since, I can tell that our son's interest for learning reading had excelled. Thank you so very much. We definitely will be back." Karina F
"I had the pleasure of meeting Terry and her mini horses at a children's reading encouragement event at Bookmans Phoenix. It's clear all of the volunteers care very much about making the experience as positive as possible for the children and minis. The minis wear special shoes to protect their hooves and were dressed as superheroes, which the children were so excited about! It's heartwarming to see how excited the children are to read to a mini. No one wanted to be done, lots of photos were taken, even parents seemed very excited! Terry is calm and organized throughout it all. She kept the event running smoothly and calmly for everyone involved." - Allison W
"Terry and her team are amazing! She has such a generous spirit and gives so freely of her time and passion. Dolly, Mazy, Buddy, Boone and Josie bring so many smiles wherever they go. Young, old and everyone in between love spending time hugging, brushing, playing and reading to these sweet kindness ambassadors. Such an awesome program!! Thank you Terry, Minis and all volunteers for making your visits possible. Keep up the great mission for every tender little heart💖" - Jennifer K
"We had Terry’s minis for our nonprofit event The Something So Worth It All Abilities Marketplace. We serve children with disabilities and the horses were a highlight of the day. I saw so many smiles and the horses were so sweet and dressed up so cute for the event. This organization is great with children with special needs." Allison L
"My mother is in a skilled nursing facility and she sent me a picture of her with adorable miniature horses. I asked the nurse about this and she said they were from Tender Little Hearts. These little horses brought so much joy to my Mom. She was laughing as she told me about them, a sound I haven't heard for a while. Thank you, Tender Little Hearts, for bringing my Mom, and others, so much happiness. You are a bright light in this Covid filled world." - Anna D
"Thank you to Terry and all her volunteers who came to our facility with their mini ponies. The smiles on our resident's faces was priceless! Volunteers like you genuinely change the world! Thank you for your time and for caring so deeply about the well-being of others. We look forward to seeing you all again!" - Terry L
"I had the privilege of meeting this organization at a fundraiser for Childhelp. It was a Superhero event and I can see why Terry and her amazing miniature horses were invited guests as they are SUPERHEROES!!!! I looked through their website and Facebook page. Never have I known an organization to be so dedicated to helping others! And at no charge for their time. The horses are adorable, sparkling clean and so well cared for. Kudos to Tender Little Hearts for your huge heart, kindness and bringing joy to so many." Don W
"This is an experience everyone should have, young and old alike! Terry and her team of volunteers are so great to work with and amazing with the kiddos. The mini horses are all well behaved and looking great; interactions with kids from K to 10th grade were fantastic. This truly made memories to last a lifetime; we can not wait to have Tender Little Hearts back!" Jarrin R
"I have had the opportunity to not only visit Tender Little Hearts minis and miniature donkey at their home but also at the Arizona Veterans Home as a volunteer. I have always been very impressed with the professional manner in which the horses are transported, cared for, and supported in their therapy work. The loving interaction between the minis and their handlers is a joy to observe. As it has been said, these beautiful animals "won the lottery" when they came to live with Terry Holmes Stecyk. They are her children and they are pampered, spoiled, and lovingly cared for with grooming, toys, treats, kisses, and interaction. I support the important mission of Tender Little Hearts and Assisted Equine Mini Therapy and their wonderful ambassadors, Dolly, Buddy, and Mazy." - Judy T
"We love hosting the minis at Fountain Hills Library, where children can read to them without trepidation. It is a perfect combination for struggling readers. We've been able to have Terry host a virtual story time and personal interview as well. Thank you, Terry, for your dedication to children and reading." Christy V
"Tender Little Hearts was such a fun place to take the kids! The mini horses, and donkey were so gentle and our girls absolutely loved grooming them and walking them through the obstacles. Thank you so much to Terry and volunteers for a such a great family experience!" Rachel V
"We spent an hour with these sweet horses and it was magical! Terry did a wonderful job empowering my son to take the lead while keeping safety in mind. We will be back!" Sarah G
"World class customer service. Highly recommended. Outstanding experience for customers. Kind and generous staff." Mark S
"I absolutely love this program! They visit my facility a few times a year, my residents enjoy and look forward to the mini horses visiting them." Angeline L
"Terri was so kind and we absolutely loved the horses. We took 5 kids and they had a great interactive experience. Great way to spend a afternoon." Lezli P
"Small horses, big fun. Thank you, Tender Little Hearts!" Emily S
"Dolly from Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Equine Mini Therapy regularly visits with children at the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona, spreading love and friendship wherever she goes. This five-year-old therapy mare is a very patient listener and confidant, and loves nothing more than to spark a smile on a child's face." Childhelp
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MIKID
Lots of love was shared and fun walkies in the activity room of MIKID. Dolly snuck in a snooze after her 50th walk!
MIKID provides support to families and their children as well as youth and young adults who are experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges.
The children love participating in a safe setting while practicing community behavioral skills that will assist in successfully reaching their individual and family goals.
MIKID provides support to families and their children as well as youth and young adults who are experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges.
The children love participating in a safe setting while practicing community behavioral skills that will assist in successfully reaching their individual and family goals.
