West Michigan’s favorite miniature horse, Charlie, trotted into Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital recently to visit some special kiddos.

Leah Davidson, 9, rolled down the hall in her hospital bed to visit Charlie in the playroom. Her mom and staff pushed her bed up to the door and Charlie walked up to the side of her bed to get some love from Leah.

She is being treated for osteogenesis imperfecta, a group of inherited disorders characterized by fragile bones that break easily. She smiled from ear to ear as she touched his nose, whispering, “Hi, Charlie.”

Charlie’s owner, Ronica Froese, especially enjoys Charlie’s visits to the hospital. They started their therapy visits in 2015 when Charlie was just a year old.

“I said if my horse can do this, this is what I want to do with my life,” Froese said. “And it turns out (Charlie) was made for the job.”

Froese handed out cards with Charlie’s hoof print on them, as well as small plush horses with Band-Aids on their legs that read, “Get well.”

Several children enjoyed their visit with the handsome miniature horse, who sports sneakers and a great attitude.

Froese’s favorite part is seeing the children’s big smiles.

“It’s good for everybody’s heart,” Froese said.

The Child Life team at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is always looking for community visitors to bring activities and events to the hospital for patients. If you are interested in having your group host an event, more information is available online.