Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Dooley.
Hi Alicia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
What began with a mischievous little miniature horse and a simple walk through the neighborhood eventually grew into a nonprofit organization touching countless lives.
The journey started when a neighbor gifted me a miniature horse. We named him Romulus—better known as Rommy—after the legendary founder of Rome because he seemed determined to conquer everything in sight. Rommy had a knack for opening barn cabinets and emptying their contents, and he delighted in chasing my much larger Thoroughbred around the pasture. He was full of personality, curiosity, and endless energy.
As a lifelong horse enthusiast with years of experience caring for and training horses, I recognized Rommy’s intelligence and unique personality, but I had no idea where his journey would lead.
One day, while watching his antics, I thought, “This little guy needs a job.”
I began taking Rommy for walks through nearby neighborhoods, and his effect on people was immediate. Residents would come running out of their homes to meet him, pet him, and take photos. His small size and friendly nature brought smiles wherever he went.
On a particularly hot Florida afternoon, we stopped by the local fire station. The firefighters welcomed Rommy, gave him some water, and posed for a group photo. Wanting to publicly thank them for their kindness, I sent the photo to a local magazine. To my surprise, the magazine ran a story mentioning that I hoped Rommy could visit people and brighten their day.
Soon afterward, a local nursing home reached out and invited Rommy to visit their residents. That single phone call launched Rommy’s career as a therapy horse and revealed the extraordinary impact a miniature horse could have on people facing loneliness, illness, or special challenges.
Today, more than ten years later, that one free miniature horse has grown into Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses, Inc. What began with Rommy now includes three trained miniature therapy horses who regularly visit nursing homes, hospitals, community events, and individuals living with special needs. Through every visit, they continue Rommy’s original mission: bringing comfort, connection, smiles, and a little bit of magic to those who need it most.
Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses’ mission is to bring smiles to everyone by sharing the love from our little horses with big hearts. The organization provides animal-assisted therapy and educational outreach programs that enhance quality of life, improve well-being, and create meaningful connections throughout the community. Dedicated exclusively to charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses serves people of all ages and abilities through programs designed to provide comfort, education, and moments of joy.
What started as one mischievous miniature horse looking for a job has become a nonprofit organization devoted to improving lives—one visit, one smile, and one horse hug at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. Like many nonprofit organizations, one of our biggest challenges has been fundraising. Caring for miniature horses involves ongoing expenses for feed, veterinary care, farrier services, transportation, and equipment. Finding donors and creating successful fundraising events that generate meaningful support has been a constant effort.
One of our most difficult periods came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because nursing homes, hospitals, and care facilities were closed to visitors, our therapy visits came to a complete stop. While our ability to serve the community was temporarily paused, the horses still required the same daily care and expenses. During that time, I personally shouldered the responsibility of supporting their care until we were able to resume visits.
Another challenge has been balancing the organization’s growth with my full-time career. Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses is a labor of love, and like many nonprofit founders, I wear many hats. While I would love to devote more time to expanding our programs and reaching more people, there are only so many hours in a day. Growth often happens more slowly than I would like because I continue to work full-time while managing the organization.
Despite these challenges, every obstacle has been outweighed by the impact our horses have on the people we serve. Seeing a smile from a nursing home resident, a child in the hospital, or someone facing special challenges reminds me why this work matters. Those moments continue to motivate me to keep moving forward and growing our mission whenever possible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses, Inc.?
I am the founder and operator of Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses, Inc., and my role covers every aspect of the organization—from day-to-day horse care and training to scheduling visits, marketing, purchasing, accounting, and volunteer coordination. I also teach and support volunteers and train our miniature therapy horses to ensure they are prepared for the unique environments we serve.
We are one of only a small number of miniature therapy horse programs in the area, which means there is still so much opportunity for growth and outreach. Our schedule is full, but our goal is always to reach more people, more facilities, and more communities whenever possible.
What sets this work apart is the moment the horses enter a space where people are not expecting them. Whether it’s a hospital room, a nursing home apartment, or a memory care unit, the reaction is always the same—surprise, awe, and then overwhelming joy. Those moments are the heart of why I do this work.
I have seen seniors in memory care suddenly begin talking about their childhoods on farms after years of silence. I have watched a child in a wheelchair take a walk down a hallway alongside Rommy, something that seemed impossible only moments before. I have seen a toddler in a hospital, who had not spoken a word during their stay, suddenly break into laughter as one of our horses gently pushed toys across the bed with her muzzle.
I have thousands of stories like these. Each one is small on its own, but together they represent exactly what Fuzzy Therapy Miniature Horses exists to do—create connection, unlock joy, and bring moments of healing that people carry long after we leave the room.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck gave me the beginning—a gifted miniature horse, a chance photo, and a story that unexpectedly reached a magazine. Those moments opened doors I never could have planned. But everything since then has been built through steady work, persistence, and commitment.
I’ve learned luck may start a path, but it doesn’t sustain it. What matters most is what you do with it—and showing up every day for the animals and the people we serve.
Pricing:
- Requested donation levels are determined based on travel distance, duration of visit, and type of engagement
- Local visits are generally requested at a lower donation level than extended travel engagements
- Events outside the organization’s primary therapeutic and charitable mission may require adjusted donation considerations depending on scope and use
- All donations support program operations, including horse care, training, transportation, insurance, and administrative costs
- Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fuzzytherapyminiaturehorses.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzzytherapyminiaturehorses/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuzzyTherapyMiniatureHorses/
