The story of Lily

In 2002, the Center was awarded a grant to purchase a miniature horse that would augment a program for At Risk children with carriage driving, and Lily was purchased in April. Shortly afterward, it became evident that Lily was an excellent prospect for outreach work and a pilot program quickly developed.

The Outreach Program was successfully piloted in 2003 with support from the operating budget. The key staff member here Lily, our Delta Society Certified miniature horse who, along with two other staff members, visited hospital affiliated senior centers and Alzheimer's units at MidCoast Hospital in Brunswick and Bay Square Center in Yarmouth. The purpose of introducing the miniature horse to residence or bedridden individuals was to improve overall affect and happiness by evoking positive feelings, stimulating conversation, or simply opening a social connection that had not yet developed with hospital/agency staff. Residents talked about visits for many days afterward and shared the experience with visiting family and friends.

The future goal for this program is to visit pediatric wards in regional hospitals. Grant funding for program development is currently being pursued. An expansion of the pilot is planned following the birth of Lily's foals, who will also be trained as visitation animals. For more information about the program or to schedule visits, please call 207-729-0168. Read more about Lily's purchase through the Common Good Grant from Bowdoin College.