What a beautiful visit this was at Slate Valley Center in Granville, New York, as Dugan, the pony, visited the residents there, bringing love, laughter and smiles to everyone on Aug. 10.

Dugan was brought to the 88-bed skilled nursing facility by Angelia Mack, the director of Ponies for Purpose, based in Auburn, New York.

Even though Angelia has had a lifelong love for horses and ponies since she was child, she knows these visits mean so much for the residents since pet therapy has grown to be a major form of activity at so many skilled nursing facilities throughout the Northeast.

“When you see how these seniors and other residents react to Dugan’s visit, it is simply priceless,” Mack said. “This is why Ponies for Purpose exists. For a long time, you associated ponies and horse visits with kids and petting zoos, but for nursing home residents, it means a whole lot more and it aids psychologically for them as so many reflect from years gone by. Besides, Dugan loves the attention, and he takes it all in stride.”

Mack continues her tour to many Centers Health Care and other skilled nursing facilities around New York state.