Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take pictures during our visit?

Absolutely! Please feel free to take and post any pictures that you choose.

Are there any restrictions for meeting Love Bug?

In order to make our visits as safe as possible, we request no visits with patients who are currently under quarantine, on contact precautions, or have open wounds.

Can you visit room-to-room?

If you would like us to do room-to-room visits, we would request an escort who may obtain permission for any room that we may enter. Please let us know ahead of time so we can coordinate arrangements!

How long do visits typically last?

Our average visit lasts about an hour and a half. If you have a longer event in mind, please reach out and we can talk about arrangements to see if that would be possible!

How many people can Love Bug meet at one time?

Love Bug has experience with large, noisy crowds as well as more intimate one-on-one meetings. Let us know how many people you’re expecting so we can arrange our visit so everyone can experience the joy of mini horses.

Do you have space requirements?

We can work within many different locations, but we do ask that you leave enough room around chairs/wheelchairs/beds for Love Bug to move from resident to resident so that everyone has hands-on experience with her.

Is there an age limit? Can Love Bug meet with anyone?

Love Bug has been trained to interact with children and adults of all ages and abilities. She is comfortable around walkers, manual or electric wheelchairs, and various noises/distractions.

How much do you charge for a visit with Love Bug?

McNicholas Miniatures does not charge for our visits, but we do incur costs for our program. To help offset those costs, we request a facility processing fee starting at $150 for a 60 minute visit. In addition to hourly bookings, we also offer bi-weekly and monthly programs at discounted rates. If this fee is a hardship for you, please let us know as we do have a limited number of waivers available.

Why a mini horse as a therapy animal?

Mini-horses are popular therapy animals and offer all of the wonderful characteristics of horses such as intelligence, sensitivity, and gentleness, but in a much smaller size. Love Bug is sweet and gentle in nature and we know she will bring many smiles to those she has the privilege of meeting. It is our mission to ensure that all visits are as safe and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved. Please see our research page for more information, articles, and peer reviewed studies. Research →