BOISE - A miniature horse has won the hearts of residents at a Boise senior living community, thanks to his special healing power.
When "Buster Brown" visits The Terraces of Boise, smiles abound. At just 36 inches tall with a wild mop of hair on his head, Buster is not your typical horse.
"He can be a little bit of a wild man at home sometimes and when he comes here he just chills and is just so happy to visit with the seniors," said Elise Daniel, Buster's owner.
The residents of the community can't get enough of Buster.
"When Buster comes, he just brightens everybody's day," said Debbi Evans, The Terraces' lifestyle director.
Resident Elaine Baker was excited to meet the special visitor.
"This is the first horse I've seen wandering the halls," she said. "There are some dogs that are almost as big as Buster Brown."
Elise has owned Buster for 17 years.
"I work with seniors and this is my way of giving back to the senior community, is bringing Buster to visit," she said. "It's one of the most wonderful things I do with my time."
Buster seems to like it too.
"Therapy is really his only job and he really really loves it," Elise said.
While Buster gets lots of love during his visits to The Terraces, the benefit is mutual.
"Being able to pet an animal is actually proven to lower blood pressure and relax people and make people calmer," Elise said.