This non-profit of miniature therapy horses in Gainesville is making their way to connecticut to help children, families of victims and first responders cope with the pain, after an elementary school masscre-- killed 20 children and 6 adults in newtown.

 

Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, co-founder of Gentle Carousel says, "When your given that sort of request, you can't say no." When contacted by Newtown, the non-profit said yes without even knowing if the trip could be possible. "And by faith we have been putting this together, we're taking a team of 6 volunteers and 3 horses."

 

Getting the gentle carousel horses from Gainesville Florida to Newtown Connecticut is a collaborative effort. Organizations in newtown and private donors are lending a hand to help make this happen. But they still need a lot of support.

 

Magic, Wakonda and Aladdin are all horses who have changed people's lives. Garcia-Bengochea says, "A woman hadn't spoken in over three years, they had never spoken. They had never heard her speak, at this particular place and magic came in and all of the sudden she spoke out and said, 'It's a horse!' and then she started talking and she said, 'It's a beautiful horse,' and the staff started speaking with this woman, and she's been speaking ever since."

 

Jennifer Anfinsen, a volunteer says, "They're all different in their own way, some interact really really well face to face with the kids and some of them are a face that's unforgettable."

 

"So our plan is to go up there and follow what they would like us to do. But I think it's a great opportunity for the community here in North Central Florida to make a difference in Newtown."

 

Those who work with the non-profit say the children of newtown need to dream of minis and not monsters. Cheslei Ghslayton another volunteer says, "You can tell them your deepest darkest secrets and they don't judge... They won't even tell anybody your secret and i think that's very special for some of the people who are going through harder times." 

 

Gentle Carousel is collecting funds for a van that will transport the minis on future missions. They tell me this is their first trip out of the state but they don't want it to be their last. If you would like to contribute to the cause, visit their website or FaceBook page for more information.