Minis and Friends

Mighty Equines in Small Packages

Minis and Friends is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are a group of caring people and horse lovers dedicated to sharing the love and spirit of miniature horses to those who need special, tender care. Our organization was specially created by a group of friends who want to share this exciting equine experience with you.

Minis and Friends is dedicated to bringing our mobile herd of trained miniature horses to visit and interact with people of all ages who may be suffering mentally, physically or emotionally. Our unique programs tailor activities for children with disabilities, at-risk youth, individuals in transition and elder adults to improve their motor skills, ability to connect, tactile response, use of senses and spirits through interaction with miniature horses.

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Headliner News

 

Minis and Friends has awesome news! A successful partnership (which will be on-going) with the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation on July 16, brought 18 children from a local domestic violence shelter to Sacred Stone Ranch for an exciting hands-on interactive day to include learning about caring for a horse (similar to their own needs) - Feeding (eating), Tack (clothing), Grooming (washing, cleanliness), Farrier (shoes/no shoes), First Aid/Dentistry (health and teeth) and Reading to the Horses. The children went back to the shelter school with Minis and Me Photo memories of the day. Mini thanks to everyone who made this day a happy one for these children. (Click on pictures to go to Photo Gallery)

 

 

 

A special thank you to our Guest Station teachers:

Austin Equine Associates - Dr. Rachael Wilson

The Conscious Rider - Katherine Mays

Farrier - Allen Lee

 

We also wish to thank Sacred Stone Ranch for hosting the field trip and Robin Valelutto, Texas Regional Director, from the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation for helping us to make this happen! We look forward to many more field trips in the upcoming 2010-2011 school year.

 

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The Austin minis were welcome by PetSmart Sunset Valley on Saturday for a training day on floors and dogs/strollers. PetSmart staff and the customers were greeted by the Austin miniatures - Bravo, Diego, Jax, MasterCard, Rocky, Rudy and SeanMonet for a special treat! Mini thanks to the owners and our volunteers for coming out to support the training class.

 

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Minis Out, In the Community

Meet the miniature horses, Lewis and Tiny Tim (our honorary mini donkeys) by attending these public events:

 

August 7 - Barnes and Noble Storybook Hour at Sunset Valley - 11:00am (see you there!)

 

Sept 16-19 Mini Boot Camp Certification Workshop (FULL) - learn all you need to know to start an Equine Guided Interactions non-profit in your community!

 

October 16 - BlueBonnet Horse Expo - Expo Center off Decker Lane - all day

October 24 - Buddy Walk for Down's Syndrome - Reunion Ranch - all day

October 31 - Juvenile Diabetes Walk for the Cure - Mueller Lake - 9am

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Corporate Teambuilding /Community Service Teams

 

Calling businesses who need a different kind of teambuilding event - we have several locations with miniature horses that need your help and a fun, different kind of day of working as a team with special help by the miniature horses. Teambuilding events can be found in Austin and Williamson County. Email volunteers@minisandfriends.org to schedule your team.

 

Mini thanks to the Amazing people who come to volunteer and spend their afternoons with Minis and Friends at Sacred Stone Ranch this Spring. We thank you and appreciate your awesome humor and hard-working teams! A Minis and Friends Corporate Teambuilder/Community Service Project helps your company team have a great day and helps our various boarding ranches where the little horses and donkeys live - that visit in Austin on weekends mostly for free of charge bringing indescribable smiles to all they meet.

 

Enjoy visiting some of our recent Corporate Teambuilder/Community Service days with our Spring 2010 corporate teams from Whole Foods and Life Technologies!

 

More pictures on our Photo Gallery!

 

 

 

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KEYE-TV (CBS 42) filmed a segment for "We Are Austin". The minis had a great day showing their gentle ways and visiting with the Austin Children's Shelter, a monthly visit partner!

 

 

 

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Sponsor of the Month

 

PetSmart #1737 in Sunset Valley has donated clickers for our Horsie Etiquette workshop rescheduled for July for all miniature horse and miniature donkey owners attending.

 

If you are a miniature horse owner and would like to work with Minis and Friends in the community on weekends and some holidays, please contact us at info@minisandfriends.org

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Keep Austin Green by Green Recyling for Minis and Friends This is a simple fundraiser that helps subsidize Minis and Friends budget. Our 501(c)3 non-profit organization utilizes the FundingFactory Recycling Program to recycle collected cartridges and cell phones. The program features FREE prepaid shipping labels, online accounting, and a business component that enables companies and individuals to collect cartridges and cell phones in support of our efforts. We need you or your company to collect used cell phones and empty printer cartridges within your company to benefit Minis and Friends. Click Here for More Information

 

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