There’s a special place in eastern Texas where veterans and children come to get help for various physical and mental issues that plague their day-to-day lives.
Videos by InspireMore
As part of the Equest program, located on the more than 300-acre Texas Horse Park in southeast Dallas, they gain hope and continue to heal by participating in horse-related activities and therapies. But participants have a particular affinity for one of their equine therapists, Taco.
Wide Open Pets
Taco had a rough time until he arrived at his new home. Equest staff found the miniature donkey, abandoned and wandering country roads for weeks. Then they brought him to their facility for some good ol’ TLC.
Facebook
Initially shy and withdrawn, Taco shied away from humans and hid in his stall. But staff believed his new environment would provide the same kind of healing as his human counterparts — and it was a success!
Facebook
Taco has now fully emerged from his shell and won people over with his playful and curious personality, becoming a famous and much-beloved resident at the center.
Wide Open Pets
In fact, he’s become so popular that the little guy was just recently named an official therapy donkey.
Equest
“I mean, for me that’s the perfect metaphor for our own lives: we can change, too,” remarked Jeff Hensley, the organization’s director of clinical and veterans services.
Watch the video below to see some of Taco’s adorable weather predictions. Share to spread smiles.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.
