Therapy Pony Visits Akron Children's Burn Unit

Willie, a therapy pony, visited young patients in the burn unit at Akron Children's Hospital.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Large Animals

Therapy Pony Visits Akron Children's Burn Unit

Willie, a therapy pony owned by the therapeutic riding school Victory Gallop, visited patients at Akron Children's Hospital, including two teenagers in the burn unit. The visits are part of a monthly schedule aimed at cheering up patients.

Why it matters

Some hospitals bring in special guests to cheer up lonely patients, and Willie's monthly visits offer a source of comfort during long stays. The visits show how animal-assisted programs can reach children facing serious injuries and illness in Akron.

Willie has been a therapy pony for eight years and was trained over eight months before visiting patients. Before each hospital visit he receives two baths, one with surgical scrub and one with horse shampoo, and his feet and tail are wrapped in blue veterinary wrap.

The players

Victory Gallop

Victory Gallop is a therapeutic riding school that owns Willie and sends him on visits to hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

Akron Children's Hospital

Akron Children's Hospital is the pediatric hospital in Akron, Ohio, that hosts Willie's monthly visits to its patients.

The details

Willie visited 16-year-old Angelina Howes in the burn unit, having also visited her the previous week for her birthday. He later visited 15-year-old Aniyah Angel-Thacker, who was in the burn unit after a car crash.

Previous week: Willie visited Angelina Howes for her birthday.
Once a month: Willie visits Akron Children's Hospital.

Roadmap

Therapy animal programs have become a recognized part of pediatric care, with hospitals bringing in visiting animals to ease the isolation of long stays. Willie's visits to Akron Children's Hospital follow this established model of animal-assisted therapy.

Families with children receiving care at Akron Children's Hospital can expect Willie's monthly visits to continue as part of the program. The visits offer a regular source of comfort to patients during extended treatment.

The takeaway

Animal visits can offer patients a welcome break from hospital routines. Families interested in similar programs can ask their local hospital whether therapy animal visits are available.