Miniature Therapy Horses Help Kids Read in Winter Garden

Imagine gaining the courage to read aloud because a miniature horse named Stormy is sitting patiently beside you, offering quiet encouragement without judgment.

That's exactly what happens each month at Soul Haven Ranch in Winter Garden, Florida, where nonprofit 8 Waves brings students for "Read with Me" field trips. The program pairs young readers with therapy animals to make literacy practice feel less like work and more like an adventure.

Susan Nastasi, who owns the ranch, volunteers her time and her miniature horses to help children sharpen their reading and critical thinking skills. The animals create a safe, pressure-free environment where kids can stumble over words, take their time, and gain confidence at their own pace.

"I believe the nonprofit is extraordinarily important," Nastasi said. "It engages the community involvement with children and gives children opportunities that they might not otherwise have."

Sara Meyer founded 8 Waves in 2021 with a mission reflected in the organization's name. The number eight represents new beginnings, and Meyer wanted to create fresh starts for students and families across Orange County.

Nastasi joined the effort immediately when the nonprofit opened its after-school program. She recognized that her miniature therapy horses could engage students in a completely different way than traditional reading instruction.

Seventh-grader Logan Brunson experiences that difference firsthand. "8 Waves is such a great place where kids can have fun and learn and do all types of activities," he said.

Sunny's Take

There's something magical about how animals can unlock potential in children that traditional methods sometimes miss. The horses don't judge stumbled words or slow progress. They simply show up, sit close, and create a calm presence that tells kids they're doing great just by trying.

Nastasi, a lifelong volunteer, has found her calling in this unique intersection of animal therapy and education. Meyer credits volunteers like her for making 8 Waves possible, recognizing that community involvement turns good ideas into programs that genuinely change lives.

The monthly field trips give students more than reading practice. They offer connection, confidence, and the realization that learning can happen in unexpected places with unexpected teachers.

Sometimes the best reading coach has four legs and a patient heart.