activities · 15
what they do
direct service · 15
- Adaptive Equine Learning Programs Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship InstructionOffers adaptive learning programs for children in wheelchairs, focusing on wheelchair maneuvering, fine and gross motor skill development, and social participation through inclusive equine activities. These programs are approved for funding through Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for youth aged 5-17.
- Assisted Equine Activities for Special Needs Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship InstructionProvides assisted equine activities for children and adults with special needs, developmental issues, or disabilities, as well as for residents of homes serving abused or at-risk children, foster homes, Hospice, hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities, senior care centers, and memory care facilities.
- Community Outreach and EventsParticipates in community events such as the Earth Day Celebration in Carefree and the Festival of Tales at Paradise Valley Community College, and conducts private home visits.
- Educational Activity Book Development and Distribution Early Childhood Literacy Support for Caregivers and EducatorsDevelops and distributes two equine-themed A-Z Activity Books for PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes, featuring letter trace, coloring pages, and bonus educational content, to encourage reading and promote literacy.
- Equine-Assisted Literacy Programs Early Literacy Book DistributionProvides literacy services and reading encouragement for children, reaching an estimated 3,500-4,000 children annually, by facilitating reading opportunities with miniature therapy horses and donkeys in schools, libraries, child advocacy centers, and special events. This includes virtual reading sessions and the distribution of equine-themed activity books.
- Equine-Assisted Literacy Programs Early Literacy Book DistributionProvides literacy services and reading encouragement for children, reaching an estimated 3,500-4,000 children annually, by facilitating reading opportunities with miniature therapy horses and donkeys in schools, libraries, child advocacy centers, and special events, including virtual options and recorded books.
- Equine-Assisted Therapy for Special Needs Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship InstructionOffers adaptive learning programs and assisted equine activities for children in wheelchairs and individuals with special needs, developmental issues, or disabilities, focusing on motor skill development and social participation through inclusive equine activities.
- Equine-Assisted Therapy for Special Needs Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship InstructionOffers adaptive learning programs and assisted equine activities for children in wheelchairs, as well as for children and adults with special needs, developmental issues, or disabilities, focusing on motor skill development and social participation.
- Little Free Library Program Book Distribution & Reading Space DevelopmentEstablishes and maintains Little Free Libraries in various community locations, such as cafes, fire stations, and general stores, to provide free access to books for adults and children.
- Little Free Library Program Book Distribution & Reading Space DevelopmentEstablishes and maintains Little Free Libraries in various community locations, including a western-themed library at Pony Express Cafe, one at Rural Metro Fire Station #826, a barn-style library at The General Store, a repurposed kitchen cabinet library at their ranch, and a Southwest-themed library in the Rio Verde Foothills, to promote reading access.
- Little Free Library Program Book Distribution & Reading Space DevelopmentEstablishes and maintains Little Free Libraries in various community locations, including a western-themed library at the Pony Express Cafe, one at Rural Metro Fire Station #826, a barn-style library at The General Store, a repurposed kitchen cabinet library at their ranch, and a Southwest-themed library in the Rio Verde Foothills, to promote access to books.
- Online Educational Resources Early Childhood Literacy Support for Caregivers and EducatorsProvides free, 24/7 access to online Mini Tales videos and recorded books for children and parents to listen to and read along with.
- Senior Enrichment Visits with Miniature Equines Miniature Horse Visitation ProgramsTransports miniature equines to senior care facilities, including assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice, memory care, and Veterans homes, and conducts private home visits to provide social connection, joy, and comfort to lonely and isolated seniors and hospice patients.
- Senior Enrichment Visits with Miniature Equines Miniature Horse Visitation ProgramsTransports miniature equines to senior care facilities, including assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice, memory care, and Veterans homes, to provide social connection, joy, and comfort to lonely and isolated seniors through regular visits.
- Therapeutic Equine Visits for Seniors Miniature Horse Visitation ProgramsTransports miniature equines to senior care facilities, including assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice, memory care, and Veterans homes, to provide social connection, joy, and comfort to lonely and isolated seniors, conducting monthly visits to memory care communities.
strategies · 9
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Equine-Assisted Learning and Therapy equine_assisted_learning_and_therapyThe organization uses miniature horses and donkeys in structured interactions to facilitate self-discovery, develop life and social skills, provide therapeutic comfort, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional well-being due to their gentle nature and ability to mirror human behavior.
- Equine-Assisted Learning and Therapy equine_assisted_learning_and_therapyThe organization utilizes miniature equines (horses and donkeys) as a core component of its programs to facilitate self-discovery, develop life and social skills, provide therapeutic comfort, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional well-being through their gentle and responsive nature.
- Equine-Assisted Literacy Promotion equine_assisted_literacyThe organization leverages miniature equines to create a non-critical, engaging, and playful learning environment that helps children overcome reading obstacles, build confidence, improve reading levels, and foster a lifelong love of reading by making the experience pleasant and interactive.
- Equine-Assisted Literacy Promotion equine_assisted_literacyThe organization leverages miniature equines to create a stress-free, non-critical, and engaging learning environment that helps children overcome reading obstacles, build confidence, improve reading levels, and foster a lifelong love of reading by making the experience pleasant and interactive.
- Inclusive and Adapted Programming inclusive_adapted_programmingThe organization modifies activities and uses adapted techniques to ensure that children with diverse needs, including those in wheelchairs, can participate in equine activities, thereby building independence, social inclusion, and enhancing physical well-being.
- Inclusive and Adapted Programming inclusive_adapted_programmingThe organization modifies activities and uses adapted techniques to ensure that children with diverse needs, including those in wheelchairs, can participate fully in equine activities, thereby building independence, social inclusion, and enhancing physical well-being.
- Personalized Educational Approach adaptive_learningThe organization employs a personalized educational approach that tailors content and activities to meet the individual needs of students, moving beyond a standardized model to optimize learning outcomes.
- Personalized Educational Approach adaptive_learningThe organization employs an adaptive learning methodology that tailors educational content and activities to meet the individual needs of each student, moving beyond a standardized approach to optimize learning outcomes.
- Personalized and Inclusive Programming personalized_inclusive_programmingThe organization tailors educational content and activities to individual needs, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model, and modifies activities for children with disabilities to build independence and social inclusion through adapted techniques that enhance engagement and participation.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
A-Z Activity Book Program
Distributes educational activity books focused on literacy and equine themes to PreK-2nd grade classrooms; funded by grants and supported by 100% program revenue
Miniature Equine-Assisted Literacy Program
Children read to miniature horses and donkeys in schools and libraries to build confidence and improve reading skills in a nonjudgmental setting
Private and Home-Based Therapy Sessions
One-on-one or family sessions at private homes or the organization’s ranch, offering grooming, agility activities, and reading time with the minis
Senior and Memory Care Enrichment Visits
Monthly visits to senior and memory care facilities where residents interact with miniature horses to stimulate memories, provide comfort, and increase social engagement
relationships · 35
who they work with
- Albertsons/Safeway Funder — Received generous gifts that have impacted the organization and supported the continuation and expansion of programs.
- Arizona ESA Government — Approved provider for the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account, allowing funds to be used for their programs.
- Arizona State Daughters of the American Revolution (AZDAR) Partner — Selected Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales as a winner of their Literacy Promotion Contest.
- Arizona Veterans Home Partner — Visited as a volunteer to provide therapy work with mini horses.
- BAM Broadband Partner — Sponsors internet needs, providing higher speed WiFi for communication.
- Bookmans Phoenix Partner — Met at a children's reading encouragement event.
- Cashel Company Partner — Provided mini fly masks.
- Cavallo Cute Little Boots Partner — Provides generous donations for rescues and discounts for program attire.
- Childhelp Partner — Met at a fundraiser and regularly visits the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona.
- Dennis Eckel Partner — Photographed each book page and produced videos.
- Dorota Kudyba Art Partner — Created the artwork for the organization's greeting cards.
- Farnum Partner — Provided Endure fly spray and Mosquito Halt.
- Fountain Hills Community Foundation (FHCF) Funder — Received a 2025 grant for its work in the community, including programs in the Fountain Hills Library and senior communities.
- Fountain Hills Library Partner — Hosts the minis for children to read to them and has hosted virtual story times.
- Four Peaks Rotary Club Funder — Received a 2024 grant to support programs in the Fountain Hills community.
- Fry's Food Stores Partner — Participates in the Fry's Community Rewards Program, allowing shoppers to link their rewards card to the organization for donations.
- Hay Pillow Inc Partner — Provides a nonprofit discount and gifts of Hay Pillows for mini equines' feeding needs.
- Horse Powered Reading® Partner — Facilitator for Horse Powered Reading®.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used for social media presence
- Karen Nabity Funder — Purchased books for the Mini Tales library.
- Kiwanis Partner — Attended their Christmas event in Cave Creek.
- Kiwanis Club of Carefree Funder — Received 2024 grant funding to cover the cost of two A-Z Activity Books.
- MIKID Partner — Visited their facility, which provides support to families and children experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges.
- Michael Noonan Partner — Lent a professional recording device for recording books.
- National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Partner — Selected Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales as a SW Divisional and National winner of their Literacy Promotion Contest.
- North Ranch Elementary school Partner — Visited to provide an experience for kindergarten students to read to, groom, and hug horses.
- Pony Express Cafe Partner — Host location for a Little Free Library (Charter #173438).
- Pyranha Partner — Provided Endure and Spray and Wipe fly control products and aloe vera shampoo.
- Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc. Funder — Received generous gifts of support for its mission and programs, specifically for the care of miniature equines.
- Rural Metro Fire Station #826 Partner — Host location and co-host for a Little Free Library (Charter #173439), also serving as a collection point for books.
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