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Meet-and-pet miniature horses at Ion Orchard for a good cause

(PHOTO: In Good Company)
(PHOTO: In Good Company)

SINGAPORE – Miniature horses are coming to town this holiday season and for a good cause. A ticket for two priced at S$50 will entitle you to a meet-and-pet session with two miniature horses along with complimentary beverages.

This December, meet six miniature horses, Kopi, Milo, Ah Boy, Ah Girl, Sayang and Siew Mai, in their holiday trot to town at the In Good Company Ion Orchard store. These therapy horses are from Equal, an award-winning animal-assisted intervention centre that develops life skills in youth, people with special needs, families, and elderly with dementia.

Each session ticket is priced at S$50 (exclusive of Eventbrite fees), allowing two persons to enter the closed-door event, and will feature two miniature horses per session. The closed-door event will take place on 6 Dec, 13 Dec, and 20 Dec from 4pm to 6pm. The ticket also entitles participants to two complimentary beverages from Plain Vanilla Bakery, and a S$50 E-Voucher from In Good Company, valid with a S$100 minimum spend.

In Good Company will be matching S$50 to each ticket sold for the event, pledging a total of S$100 per ticket, with 100% of donation proceeds going towards Equal. All children below 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult, and kids 3-5 years old must be carried during the session.

The event, which drew concerns from netizens over the welfare of the miniature horses, prompted the organisers to respond and answer some questions via their Facebook page. Some of the answers have been advised directly by Equal’s CEO, Ng Tze Yong, for better clarity and accuracy.

The organisers stressed that Equal’s horses are specially selected and trained therapy animals and many of them were no longer wanted and then, rescued by Equal. The horses were given a second shot at life with their new training to be therapy animals.

They also shared that a therapy horse has a similar role to a guide dog, and helps humans in need through animal-assisted learning, which was what the event wants to highlight.

Stressing that the animals’ welfare comes first, the team shared the preparation behind transporting the horses to the event, and how the event will be carried out to ensure that the animals are their top priority.

Equal does important work for rescued animals, rescuing and re-training them for animal-assisted therapy to strengthen the emotional and mental well-being of people in need. The charity serves 1,500 beneficiaries every year, working with schools, children's homes, nursing homes and other social service organisations.

In Good Company shares that the event aims to allow people in Singapore to know about Equal and understand how animal therapy can help people in need.