Mini therapy horses to be used in LASD community crime prevention program

CALABASAS, Calif. (KABC) -- Miniature therapy horses are teaming up with the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's Station as part of a community outreach and crime prevention program.

The horses are from Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, and each provides emotional support and therapy to sick children, veterans and hospice patients. Some of the horses have even traveled to Sandy Hook to bring some smiles to people who suffered through the unspeakable tragedy.

Now, the horses' handler Victoria Nodiff-Netanel is working with deputies to have the horses attend community events, hospitals and schools as part of the program.

The prevention program was spearheaded by Lt. Jennifer Seetoo and Deputy Mike Churney.

"I just thought what a great way to bring the horses in and really connect with the community and provide some therapy and just bring smiles to the community," Seetoo said.

The partners recently wrote a children's book based on one of the horses named Valor, who becomes a sheriff's deputy in the story.

The horse was named Valor in honor of fallen sheriff's deputy Kenneth Tietjen, who died during the Sept. 11th attacks.

"Each of these horses, they all have their own individual personalities and their ability to interact with children and adults. You can see how adults react to them the same as children do," Churney said. "And the fact that they're able to open doors for us and allow us to interact with children on a different level rather than just being a uniform interaction or an enforcement action."