Black Pearl, a miniature horse bought in 2008, inspired Victoria Nodiff-Netanel to change her life's focus and start the charity Mini Therapy Horses, which visits patients in a lockdown psychiatric unit at a veterans' hospital in Los Angeles.
A New Companion and a New Purpose
Victoria Nodiff-Netanel, a retired dressage trainer and competitor, bought Black Pearl from Quicksilver Ranch in Solvang, California, in 2008 when the horse was six months old. She described Black Pearl as a fluffy little thing that would run around at warp speed, then run back to snuggle, stealing her heart from the beginning.
After starting to train Black Pearl for fun, teaching her tricks that she learned quickly, Nodiff-Netanel thought of a way to give back to the community by finding ways to help people with her little horse.
Bringing Comfort to Veterans and Patients
Black Pearl inspired Nodiff-Netanel to start her charity, Mini Therapy Horses, which she says she wouldn't have attempted without the horse's outgoing personality. She now runs a programme with Black Pearl and eight other miniature therapy horses, visiting patients in the lockdown psychiatric unit at a veterans' hospital in Los Angeles.
The veterans, who have PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and/or drug addiction and many of whom are homeless, can pet and hug the horses, which helps them feel less lonely and isolated. The charity also visits several other hospitals, where children and adults away from home for a long time find comfort in the minis. For visually impaired children, staff can take their hands to help them feel the horses, and they can brush their coats, a tactile experience that makes them very happy.
Black Pearl's Personality and Tricks
Black Pearl will walk beside a patient in a wheelchair while they hold the reins, and some patients missing their own animals at home find cuddling her comforting. Of all the miniature horses, Black Pearl is described as the biggest show-off, feeding off everyone's positive energy and loving to do her tricks.
She is by far the best keyboard player, tapping and rubbing her muzzle back and forth on the keys. She can stand and walk on her hind legs, give a high five with her hoof, smile, nod and shake her head "yes" and "no", strut with her front legs, and much more.
Working with Black Pearl has given Nodiff-Netanel the opportunity to meet people from every walk of life. She says Black Pearl inspired her to follow her passion, with the horse as a partner, in helping others. "I love this little horse – she has been a blessing."
