Meet Pascal, the therapy horse who’s become the ‘mane’ attraction in Quebec care homes

Eastern Townships ·New Pascal, the mini horse who offers emotional support at residences, long-term care homes and hospitals, is pictured with his owner Anne Caroline Coutu. The pair are booked nearly every day in Quebec’s Eastern Townships and the greater Montreal area.(Rachel Watts/CBC ) Pascal has been trained to wave and give kisses to residents. At the Wales Home, staff says the animals allow staff to better connect.(Rachel Watts/CBC) Pascal is one of the 50 animals working on rotation with the zoo-animation organization, Toutous Poilus.(Rachel Watts/CBC) Lysanne Hamel, the activities co-ordinator at Wales Home, says the animals bring back fond memories for residents.(Rachel Watts/CBC) Pascal rolled over to scratch his back on the floor at the Wales Home, inciting exclaims from some residents.(Rachel Watts/CBC) Jean Coates giggled as a bird sat pirched on her head. She didn't grow up with animals of her own, but says she might become an animal lover now.(Rachel Watts/CBC) When volunteers visited Polly McClure Gifford, left, with the variety of animals, she says she was transported back to her childhood.(Rachel Watts/CBC) Meet Pascal, the therapy horse who’s become the ‘mane’ attraction in Quebec care homes 'Seeing him is sort of magical,' says owner of zoo animation organization Perfectly coiffed and sporting a bowtie, Santa hat and glittery hooves, Pascal shows off his jump, wave and bow to residents at the Wales Home in Cleveland, Que. He may not be a typical therapy animal, but the tiny nine-year-old horse has become a crowd favourite and one of the 50 animals working on rotation with the zoo animation organization, Toutous Poilus. “He has lots of character,” owner Anne Caroline Coutu told CBC at the end of November. “The capacity to connect with people, heart to heart, as we call it. "Seeing him is sort of magical." Together, the owner, animal troupe and volunteers offer emotional support at residences, long-term care homes and hospitals. They're booked nearly every day in Quebec’s Eastern Townships and greater Montreal area. Twenty-odd animals - guinea pigs, doves, cats, bunnies and dogs - accompany Pascal at any given time, but he remains the star of the show, says Coutu. Animals remind residents of ‘time spent at home' Polly McClure Gifford was transported back to her childhood when Pascal pattered down the hallway of her care home - stopping just short of her wheelchair. He reminded McClure Gifford of her big family farm and the pony her sister adored, years ago. WATCH | Pascal the mini horse is a crowd favourite: “She wanted that pony to come in the house and sit and eat with us,” recalled McClure Gifford, adding that it was a non-starter for her mom. “It brings back memories,” she said, looking at the dozens of animals walking, lying and flying. The animals visit about once a month, says Lysanne Hamel, the activities co-ordinator at Wales Home. Located in a small town about 150 kilometres east of Montreal, many of the care home’s residents miss having animals of their own, she...

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