Nervous About Flying? Let These Mini Therapy Horses Help You Out

Today’s feel good baby animal story comes in the way of miniature therapy horses that’s helping nervous passengers board their flights at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

The miniature therapy horses visit the airport twice a month from their home at the Seven Oaks Farm in Ohio. What a way to help uneasy passengers calm down any pre-flight jitters we say!

Wendi Orlando, the airport’s senior manager of customer relations, spoke to NPR about the impact the therapy horses have had. “It’s just to ease anxiety levels, put smiles on faces,” she said. “Clearly that’s working. When you look at the passengers walking by, it just never gets old. They love seeing the horses.”

It’s not the first time an airport has brought in the calming presence of animals to help lift the vibe. According to NPR, more than 30 airports in the US have therapy dogs. San Francisco airport even has a therapy pig.

The passengers who come into contact with the horses immediately feel the positive impacts. Their owner, Lisa Moad, told NPR: “A lot of them thank us for being there at that time because they needed that little bit of support before they get on the plane.”

Seven Oaks Farm has 32 miniature horses that they take care of. As well as making the rounds at the airport, the therapy horses visit nursing homes and schools, to give people a sense of calm, ease their anxiety and provide companionship.

A miniature horse in a workplace wouldn’t be too bad, actually.

(All images: Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses)

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