ANIMAL HELPERS
Dog Helpers
Loki
Hi! My name is “Loki” and I love being a part of your animal therapy. I wait patiently in Tammy’s office for you to arrive, and especially love children and enjoy giving kisses, cuddles, and doing tricks to make you smile.
I’m a Husky/German Shepherd cross. I had a rough start in life and nobody seemed to want me. Then I was adopted by Tammy and her family, and now I am one happy pup! Border Collie dogs really like to work, so Tammy trains me how to do lots of activities with kids; this makes kids feel good inside. It’s up to kids whether they want to meet me. Sometimes like to sit in with adults who come talk to Tammy too. I’m really very sweet and try to behave like a good dog, but sometimes I get excited and have little problems- so kids help train me 🙂 Tammy can show you how to do that.
Mostly I behave myself very well and I never hurt anyone. I always give my best and try really hard to be good:) If you would like to meet me and play with me, you can tell them at Family Counselling Centres Leduc. Tammy will meet with you first to show you some great ways to say hello to me, and she will give you treats when we first meet— I LOVE that!!! Here’s a picture of me! I hope we get to meet some day
Effie
My name is Effie and I am a Border Collie/Sheltie cross. I was raised in Leduc in a home where I was loved, but I was adopted by Reanna Lomheim with FCC because my previous family knew I would be happier with lots of exercise, a job to go to each day, and lots of kids (and adults) to cuddle- I think I was born to help people and now I get a second chance. I’m one of those dogs who prefers to spend time with humans than other dogs so being at the clinic is my dream come true! I love to chase birds, go for walks, and give snuggles to almost everyone. I’m a very gentle, calm, and good dog but sometimes I can be shy. Once I know you are safe and you like me I will be your very best friend!
Watson
My name is “Watson” and nothing makes me happier than giving other people plenty of cuddles. I usually wait in Jocelyn’s office until you arrive. Sometimes I let out a friendly howl when I’m really excited to see you. When I howl the humans in my world tell me I sound like “Chewbacca” from Star Wars.
A German Shepard/Husky cross, I am a large dog but I like to pretend I’m a small dog. I wasn’t wanted as a puppy and became fostered through Zoe’s Animal Rescue. I’m really excited and happy that Jocelyn adopted me and has given me a forever home.
I am very gentle, good dog, and have a pawsitive impact on others during counselling sessions, and help foster healthy attachment, empathy and confidence. My presence helps facilitate a calm, accepting and nurturing environment. Working, playing and going for walks are some of my favorite things to do. I love learning new things so much that Jocelyn ensured my participation in three different training programs (I got sooo many treats)!
Equine Helpers
Ajacks
Ajax is a 4 year old Miniature Donkey. Ajax is the comedian of the herd and loves to make kids laugh by acting silly. He especially loves to holler “hello” when people drive out us – you call this braying. Ajax is very friendly, but also can be very jealous at times if the other horses are getting attention and he’s not. You can put a halter on and lead Ajax around; however, in true donkey fashion he’s known to be stubborn and doesn’t always listen;) Working with Ajax is good for people who have a hard time with patience.
Bandit
Bandit is a 10 year-old Arabian/Draft gelding and is the brother of Flame and Spirit. Bandit is best described as the “class clown” of the gelding herd. Known for his antics and silly nature, he has a way of making our clients smile and is always the first horse at the gate to say hello. At times Bandit can struggle with self-control and maintaining appropriate personal space. Consequently, many of our clients are able to spend time working through their own issues regarding setting boundaries with others while working side by side with Bandit.
Bucky
Bucky is a twelve-year old miniature pony, and is the mother of Scarlett, another mini pony in the herd. She mostly keeps to herself, and is somewhat shy. She most likes to stay with and spend time her family.
Buddy
Buddy is a 11 year old Haflinger gelding, is very social, and loves to be groomed with people. He is very gentle with children and is known for being very cuddly. Buddy also has as a disability; he is blind in his right eye. He is often treated differently by the other horses because of his disability and is excluded from the group- just like many of our clients know what it’s like to be excluded because they are different or stand out. An excellent listener, Buddy loves to be groomed, walked, or to have his mane and tail braided.
Chinook
Chinook is a 7-year-old Arabian Saddlebred gelding. The newest horse to our program, Chinkook is also owned by our director, Tammy Schamuhn. He knows what it’s like to be the “new kid,” and still sometimes has a hard time finding his place in the herd. Since he is still in training, Chinook can be grumpy about going to “school” to learn. He also struggles with anxiety and hates being separated from his herd. Chinook is very social and our child clients really have a special place in his heart.
Daisy
Daisy is a 15 year-old miniature horse that is part of the FCC team. She is one of the most patient and experienced horses at Mystic Meadows; she has way of making people feel safe and at ease when they come to the barn. Her experience visiting schools and nursing homes to help people before she became a part of Family Counselling Centres Equine Therapy Program, means helping others nothing new for her. Kids love to groom her long mane and tail, lead her through obstacles, or just tell her about their day. Daisy is also the mom and grandma of many other miniature horses at Mystic Meadows.
Electra
Electra is a 3-year-old Wildy mare. Born and raised at Mystic Meadows, she is one of the youngest of the horses here, and is the baby of “Sky.” Full of personality, Electra is very social and outgoing; quite a contrast from her mom. She can be quite curious and can get herself into trouble at times, but she’s like a teenager and still needs to learn from her mistakes.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper is an 11 year old Arabian/Saddlebred Gelding. The first 6 years of his life were spent away from humans, so it takes him a long time to get used to being around new people–especially if they are angry or nervous. He is a very curious horse but doesn’t like to be caught on a halter; most of our clients just say hello to him in the field. Being very sensitive to people’s feelings, we call him our “thermometer” because he always tells us how people are feeling. We just know a client is doing better and learning to cope with their feelings when they can go up and give Grasshopper a pet.
Hugo
Hugo is a 9 year old Canadian gelding and can be very anxious and has lots of things he is quite scared of. He is especially fearful of things that move very fast, loud noises, and seeing new things for the first time. In his last home the other horses in Hugo’s field would pick home, and people would not always patient and kind to him. Because of his own fears and past experiences Hugo is still learning to trust others; something many of our clients can relate to. Once you get to know Hugo, and he knows you won’t hurt him, he is such a gentle and loving animal.
Jasper
Jasper is a 9 year old Welsh pony gelding, and understands how it feels for many of our clients who may have been told they have a ‘bad attitude’ or struggle with making friends. With very firm opinions about things, Jasper is not usually scared to express them – in this way he is very good a teaching people to communicate clearly and to tell each other how they feel about things. He’s a very talented show horse but seems to struggle in trusting new people and getting close to them takes some time.
Jazz
Jazz is a 20-year-old National Show Horse (Arabian/Saddlebred), and is one of most kind and trustworthy horses in our program. She comes from a loving home, but has been surrendered to MMEC because her owners can no longer care for her. Jazz is great at taking care of clients and is very patient.
Krysta
Krysta is a 26-year-old Arabian mare, and has had 17 homes before finding her forever home at Mystic Meadows. She has experienced abuse in a past home, so she struggles with trusting other horses and people- many of our client’s who have come from difficult circumstances can relate to her. Recently Krista has also recently undergone a life saving surgery- one of her eyes has been removed due to a severe infection. Now healthy, Krysta is getting used to her new normal, and knows what it’s like for people struggling with health concerns. Once you earn Krysta’s trust, she is a loyal and trustworthy companion
Little Bear
Little Bear is a 6-year-old miniature pony. He has lots of personality, and loves getting into mischief. The most important thing in Little Bear’s life is his food! He also loves spending time with kids, whether it is being groomed, being lead, or just hanging out.
Merlin
Merlin is an 8-year-old Exmoor-Welsh pony. This pony has a ton of personality and is quite the character. He will always be the first horse to greet clients in the pen, as he is very outgoing and loves spending time with people. He is also very clever but can be very stubborn too!
Rascal
Rascal is a 19-year old Shetland pony, and has a new home as a lesson horse and as a part of the FCC therapy program. Over the last 10 years, he continues to teach many small children how to ride and is very good at keeping people safe. He can be shy and a little worried at first, but loves attention once he’s brought in to work with people.
Sox
Sox is a 11 year old Quarter Horse mare, and is a good natured horse who loves when people groom her and lead her around. She is very patient with most people, and is great for those who are a little bit scared of horses as she will be very gentle and patient with you. Sox grew up at Mystic Meadows and once was a very talented show horse, but now she enjoys going for rides with her owner and working with kids.
Spirit
Spirit is a 14 year-old Arabian/Draft gelding, and is the leader or “alpha” of our gelding herd. He is a sensitive horse and seems to know when someone needs a hug or extra special attention. Well known for taking care of our clients, especially those who struggle with anxiety or confidence, as well as the other horses—he is a calm and grounding presence in our program. Born and raised at Mystic Meadows Equine Centre, he is the oldest brother of Bandit and Flame. Spirit is an athletic horse who has a background in competitive dressage and jumping.
Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell is an 11-year-old miniature pony, and is the daughter of the mini pony Daisy (despite being taller than Daisy!). Whether it be getting groomed, getting her mane and tail braided, or doing obstacle courses, Tinkerbell loves spending time with kids. Sometimes Tinkerbell can be stubborn or impatient, and she will always make sure kids know how she’s feeling!
Trinket
Trinket is an 8-year old white miniature pony. She is fairly new to Mystic Meadows, but is already part of the Mystic Meadows Family. Her sweet and quiet personality make kids feel safe and at ease when working with her. Dependable and loyal, Trinket is happy to spend time and cuddle with kids.
Velvet
Velvet is a 2-year-old Friesian/Arabian Cross who came to the barn as a malnourished and neglected baby, but is now healthy and happy. She’s one of the first horses to come say hello at the gate. She is a little anxious and does not like being away from her horse family. That being said she is kind, gentle, tolerant, and affectionate with clients.
Xena
Xena is a three-year old Holsteiner-Dutch mare. Despite being one of the biggest horses on the property, she is also one of the quietest. As the leader of the mare herd, Xena is calm, quiet, and dependable. She teaches people what it is to be a leader, and what a leader also needs from everyone else.
Feline Helpers
Joker
Joker a little over a year old and is the mischievous one out of the trio of cats. He loves to play and be silly, but can be overwhelmed if there are too many people at the barn so on busy days you may not see him. Overall, he is a light and cheerful presence at Mystic Meadows.
Slim
Slim is a cheerful orange barn cat who has cuddled his way into the hearts of our clients. He is quite the chatter box and loves to follow clients around the facility, even when they are working with the horses, donkey, or goats and will never miss the opportunity for a snuggle on someone’s lap.
Spice
Spice is the senior addition to our cat team and we believe he is over 12 years old. He struggles with arthritis so he doesn’t like to be picked up but loves snuggles and pets. He especially loves when we run groups at MMEC and tries to take part in whatever we are doing.
The Goats
Pilgore, Puff, Boots & Benji
This is Pilgore, Puff, Boots & Benji are pygmy goats and they are new to Mystic Meadows Equine Centre and FCC. This bunch is very playful and silly to say the least. We fint that people like to start their counselling with them and then move onto the horses when they feel more confident. Whenever you choose to spend time with them, we promise they will say hello (this is called bleating) and they will put a smile on your face.
