While visiting the horse property of Victoria Nodiff-Netanel in Monte Nido, located just outside of Malibu, the first thing you might hear is the mini thundering of tiny hooves. Looking up, you see a herd of five tiny horses galloping across an immaculate enclosure and you wonder if you’re seeing things.
No, Nodiff-Netanel explained, these are her five miniature therapy horses, all of which are quickly gaining a following across Southern California, and even throughout the U.S., for their good works in comforting the traumatized.
On Tuesday, Nodiff-Netanel will leave with one of the horses, Valor, on a special animal transport plane, “Wings of Rescue,” where, she said, they’ll fly together to Washington, D.C., for “an incredible week of events.” Little Valor will use all of his charm, friendliness and training during official visits to the Children’s National Hospital oncology floor, a COPS (Office of Community Oriented Policing) luncheon, a veterans’ hospital and several memorial ceremonies, as well as private visits to COPS families (who lost a parent in the line of duty) and a meeting with Congressman Brad Sherman on the east steps of the Capitol.
The D.C. visits were the brainchild of the Florida couple who founded the nonprofit organization “Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses,” of which Nodiff-Netanel is a part. She runs the West Coast outpost and usually stays in the L.A. area, so this trip marks the longest distance she’s traveled with one of the horses.
Nodiff-Netanel’s entire herd of little female horses — Pearl, Willow, Belle, Valor and Sky — have also received a special invitation to attend the L.A. 2015 Special Olympics World Games, which will take place July 25 through August 2. She said they will most likely set up a tent for the horses, which can be visited by Special Olympics athletes who need to “de-stress.”
The horses often receive requests for visits from various local institutions and organizations, so Nodiff-Netanel tries to choose the ones that will do the most good for people. The Veteran’s Administration West L.A. Medical Center has a special place in her heart, and she spends every Tuesday visiting all areas of the hospital with one of her horses, even going to hospice and the intensive care unit. She’s received “last wish” requests from hospitalized veterans.
After riding horses in dressage for more than 20 years, as well as being a recognized fine arts painter of animals, Nodiff-Netanel was well-versed in horse training methods when she bought her first American Miniature Horse, Pearl, about eight years ago.
“I realized I could teach her to do so many different things, and she learned so quickly. I realized maybe I could use her to help people,” Nodiff-Netanel said.
When the horses go to hospitals or on private visits, they’re house-trained and able to perform tricks on command, like playing a keyboard, saluting, making a toy squeak and stepping up. Nodiff-Netanel also lets each child choose a stuffed horse as a keepsake.
“I’m always with these horses,” Nodiff-Netanel said. “And one of the most important things is to have them be happy doing their work. If they don’t want to go for a visit, they don’t go. [On any given day] I can tell which ones want to stay home.”
The training before going out into public also consists of de-sensitizing the horses to loud noises, riding in a vehicle, contact with people, riding on an elevator, and wearing uniforms and costumes. Therapy horses are chosen based on their temperaments, which Nodiff-Netanel said are apparent at a very young age.
“They need to be very sociable, not skittish, self-confident, friendly, very smart, able to bond with people and pretty,” she said.
The therapy horses also make the rounds to Ronald McDonald houses in both Pasadena and L.A. several times a month. “Some of the kids are terminal, so we create an incredible lasting memory for the whole family with a photo taken with the horse — a happy time that everyone will remember,” Nodiff-Netanel shared.
She also participates in various programs for the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, including being a first responder in any event involving a traumatized child. “The horses are always ready,” she said.
“We deal with a lot of trauma — amputees, sick kids and adults,” Nodiff-Netanel said. “But it’s so joyous, too. It’s the most addictive thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
For more information, visit horse-therapy.org or minitherapyhorses.com.
