Mini Therapy Horse Publishes Picture Book, Will Visit Local Libraries

Warren, NJ - "Good things come in small packages."

That saying holds true with Michelangelo - a miniature therapy horse who visits assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and group homes, as well as schools for children with special needs.

"Therapy horses are used to help promote emotional growth, particularly those with ADD, anxiety, autism, dementia, delay in mental development, down syndrome and other genetic syndromes, depression, trauma and brain injuries, behavior and abuse issues, as well as a variety of other mental health conditions," according to EquestrianTherapy.com.

Michelangelo has many talents. Along with providing comfort to those in need, he has also recently published a picture book called "Michelangelo, The Little Therapy Horse."

The 60-page book is filled with pictures that tells the story of his life, which begins in Pennsylvania and continues at Hope's Promise Farm in New Jersey, where he finds a new family and embarks upon his life as a therapy horse.

His book is available for checkout at all 10 Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s Library branches.

Michelangelo will also be visiting several Somerset County Library branches where attendees will learn about miniature horses, what they eat, where they live, and since they are too small too ride, what kinds of jobs they have.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to pet and visit with Michelangelo, as well as have their picture taken with him. His book will be available for purchase.

Michelangelo will be making appearances at:

• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch, located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren on August 8, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch, located at 402 East High Street in Bound Brook on August 17, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield on September 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch, located at 100 South 10th Avenue in Manville on September 30, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Additionally, Michelangelo will be joining SCLSNJ at the Barnes & Noble Bridgewater location (at the Somerville Circle) on Saturday, Aug. 27 to celebrate the Summer Reading Triathlon program in partnership with The Courier News.

For more information, contact the Barnes & Noble Bridgewater location at 908-526-7425.

SCLSNJ’s Michelangelo, The Little Therapy Horse programs are family friendly; all ages are welcome. Registration is required.

To register, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact your local SCLSNJ Library branch.

(Photo, SCLSNJ: Michelangelo, The Little Therapy Horse, with Jessica Bauer, SCLSNJ youth services librarian, during Michelangelo’s recent visit to SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch.)

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