Pony therapy brightens spirits in care homes and communities

A local family is brightening spirits in care homes and communities with their team of therapy ponies and other animals.

A Million Memories Pony Parties and Therapy has been visiting care homes, community events, weddings, funerals, parties and educational settings in Melksham and across the local area, sharing the joy of their ponies with residents. They also bring along guinea pigs and rabbits for an added sensory experience.

The ponies were a highlight of this year’s Melksham Carnival procession and won the award for ‘Best Small Walking Group.’

Kelly Miles, who runs the service, said, “At the end of 2023, I lost my dad; he always wanted me to do my own business and losing him just made me think life is too short to not do what you want to do in life.

“We do not do it for money; we see it as being a charitable cause in the community. We only do it to cover the cost of the ponies and our licence.”

Despite having had ponies all of her life, Kelly said she had never realised the effect the animals can have on others. “The residents absolutely love it,” she said. “I knew what good therapy ponies had been for me at different points in my life. They are so loving and calming.”

As well as care homes and events in Melksham, the family also ventures to towns further afield, including as far as Andover.

“A lot of residents we see can’t get out and can’t get out of bed,” said Kelly. “We do a lot of sitting by palliative care residents with the ponies. It’s so lovely because some of them don’t talk, then they see the ponies and they start talking. The workers in the care home can’t believe it. They have said to us before that some residents have been there for two years and have never said a word until they meet the ponies. I often come out of the care homes in tears. Honestly, it is just so lovely.”

Kelly is often helped by her three daughters, Alana, seven; Ava, nine; and Farrah, 12.

“My girls are so good when they come with me,” said Kelly. “Farrah does it full-time. She is so incredible. She’s so confident. She will just take herself off and you’ll find her sitting by a resident’s bedside. Everyone commends her on what an amazing young girl she is in giving up her time and being so compassionate.

“Nowadays there are a lot of younger people who don’t respect the older generation, and I want to teach them to help the older generation. I want them to be respectful and helpful and sit there and talk.

“We don’t have a time limit. On our local visits we charge £50 or £60 but it’s not about the money; it’s about the enjoyment we bring to people.

“Most of our care homes are monthly, we come to an arrangement with the care home about what’s affordable to them. We go to Andover Hospice and we don’t charge for that. We do a lot of voluntary stuff because people just don’t have the funds to afford it, and I am passionate about ensuring they can still take part.”