Everyone knows that animals can have amazing healing powers. To this end hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes often have routine visits from dogs and cats. Sometimes even miniature horses have been brought in to visit retirement homes.. But in Dijon, France, hospitals and retirement homes allow a full-sized horse come to check in on the patients and give them some extra love and kindness -- often in their final hours.
The Dickin Medal has been called "the Victoria Cross for animals." The award was created in the UK by Maria Dickin in 1943 to honor valiant animals who served in World War II. It is a bronze medal of a laurel wreath surrounding the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve." It hangs from a ribbon of pale blue, brown, and green. It was most recently awarded just last month to a dog named Kuga.
Even in cold, wet weather, horses need to get out of their stables for several hours a day to walk, run, graze, or just gaze. Derby Originals has the perfect 'turnout' attire to keep your horse warm and dry!
"Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done she gave her father forty-one." This rhyme is how most people remember Lizzie Borden. The woman gained notoriety in the late 19th century when she was accused, tried, and acquitted of the brutal, bloody murder of her father and stepmother. Most people don't realize that she was a huge animal lover -- a fact that is still helping animals today.
Aside from children's birthday parties and special events, what purpose does a miniature horse serve? Well, you might be surprised to learn there are breeders who have ranches with hundreds of them.
