Aaron Daye/Staff photographer-Gainesville Sun

Jenna Davis, 2, reacts to being tickled by Magic, a 2-foot-tall miniature horse provided by Gentle Carousel.

Reading Is Magic on television from the First Steps Fall Festival

  Magic at station WOCA with "AM Ocala Live" radio hosts Larry Whitler and Robin. She stayed for the half hour Gentle Carousel interview. See more photos of Magic at the WOCA Photo Gallery.

United Kingdom She hadn't spoken for three-years. Then in came Magic An elderly woman had not said a word at the Florida assisted-care facility where she had lived for three years. Then, in walked Magic. The miniature horse who carries out therapy work lit a spark in the woman. While a reporter was taking photos of a therapy horse visit, the woman began talking to Magic. "Isn't she beautiful," were her first words. "It's a horse." Hampton Manor's activities director Linda McSorley began to cry and told the woman she loved her. "I love you too," she answered - her first full sentence to another person in the time she had been there. Before Magic left, the woman asked, "Will she come back again?" Six months after Magic's first visit and she is still talking. The little pony's ability to weave magic, as part of the Gentle Carousel therapy horse programme, has won her the title of "Most Heroic Pet  in America" in a vote organized by the  AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) magazine. << Jorge Garcia-Bengochea and Magic AARP is the world's largest circulation magazine with over 25 million subscribers. Magic was selected from 10 finalists to take the title. The little blue-eyed horse works with adults and children inside hospitals, hospice programmes, and assisted-living facilities. She also works with abused children and children with disabilities. Magic can walk up and down stairs, ride in elevators and moves around hospital equipment. Magic is also housebroken.

Gainesville  Magazine

  Listen to best selling author Joe Camp's earlier interview (and thoughts on Gentle Carousel) on the podcast:

News Talk on WOCA

 

Miniature Horse Named America's Most Heroic Pet New York City, New York (March 24th, 2010) A Miniature Horse named Magic has been named the "Most Heroic Pet in America" in a vote organized by the AARP. Magic, a therapy horse, has touched thousands of patients over the past few years. She is a special friend to an 8-year-old girl who had a heart transplant and now is winning her fight with leukemia. Magic was at a hospital bed as someone woke from a coma. She comforted a man who peacefully passed away with his hand resting on Magic's head. From the Ronald McDonald House to programs for autistic children, Magic has worked her magic. A heroic pet is one that "has significantly improved or saved a life. "The AARP's Top 10 finalists for the Heroic Pet title included eight dogs and a cat; Magic was the only horse. She will be featured in the 2010 May/June edition of AARP's The Magazine. Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses are a team of 20 tiny horses that work with children and adults inside hospitals, assisted care programs, group homes and with patients in hospice care. They also work with adults and children with disabilities and at-risk and abused children. From cheering up young cancer patients to building bridges with Alzheimer patients, this team of special horses visited more than 4,000 adults and children in 2009. The therapy horses are able to walk up and down stairs, ride in elevators, walk on unusual floor surfaces, and move around hospital equipment. They remain calm in unusual and challenging situations. In September 2009, a newspaper photographer documented a unique interaction between Magic and a patient who had not spoken since she arrived at an assisted care facility three years earlier. The woman spoke to Magic; "Isn't she beautiful" were her first words, followed by, "It's a horse." Before Magic left the woman asked, "Will she come back again?" She has continued to talk since that visit with Magic.

Reading Is Magic's newest star.  Look for Rainbow's upcoming book in 2010!

Thank you to all the radio stations who have broadcast interviews with Gentle Carousel!

  "The Buzz" 100.5 FM (rock alternative)

  DVH 101.7 (classic country)

 "80's, 90's" 106.9 FM KZY

 "Magic" 101.3 FM (urban hip hop)

 "Rejoice" 1430 AM (religious)

Moonbeam gets a television hug.

  at a Reading Is Magic event.

 Circus with the Grady House Dalmations in March 2009 issue of EquuSSource magazine. 

Stardust in Horse Illustrated magazine.