2016 Miniature Horse WORLD Issues October/November 2016 Vol 32 No 5 | Page 42

therapy spotlight

Cherry’s Jubilee and Nancy Degan

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herry’s Jubilee and Nancy Degan have been a therapy Miniature horse team with Pet
Partners for over two years. Cherry loves her job and brings cheer everywhere she goes.
She has visited many hospitals and homes for autistic kids and seniors with Alzheimer’s.
Cherry has ridden in many elevators-brass and glass, big or very small. People are always
amazed when the elevator door opens, and a Miniature horse walks out!

As you can imagine, Cherry is one busy little mare!
Along the way, Cherry has learned
many unusual maneuvers or tricks
(45 to be exact) that have given her
the chance to be featured many times
on TV and in guest appearances. Her
cameo appearances include:

• In 2015 Cherry was featured in a 30
second CNN video to encourage people
to vote the night before the election.
She marched in place on her pedestal
with patriotic ribbons on her halter, and
she answered questions with a nod or
shake of her head.

• Little Big Shots on NBC television (3rd
episode) with little Joanna saying ‘I’m
not a princess.” Cherry stood very still in
front of a small Cinderella carriage while
on a REVOLVING stage!

• Cherry will be co-starring in a feature
film due to be released in 2017.

• America’s Got Talent in front of a live
audience of 4000. Cherry was then only
2-1/2 yrs old. She made it to the second
round besting over 50,000 other acts.
• Cherry worked for Paramount Studios on
a TV show called Happy Endings.
• Cherry was on the pilot of Happy Valley
as a therapy horse.
• Cherry has attended THREE-star
unveilings in the Western Walk of Fame.

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• Her participation in charity fundraisers
includes Parkinson’s Disease, Walk to Stop
Diabetes, fundraisers benefitting
breast cancer, and numerous others.
• Cherry visited the Santa Clarita
Community Center, and UC Davis.
Cherry was the first therapy Miniature
horse to visit UC Davis in Orange County.
• Cherry also did a very special
presentation inside the Maya Hotel for
Littler.com on therapy horses in the
work place.

Some of Cherry’s tricks include:
• Nod head “yes” and shake head “no”
• Handshake or high five
• Rears up on command
• Pirouette, levade and capriole
• Bows
• Marches
• Bucks on cue
• Pushes crosswalk button
• Picks up paper, envelopes, money, keys,
hat, and opens presents
• Draws on an iPad with her muzzle
• Plays soccer, kicks the ball into the air
with her hind feet.
• Jumps over 3’6”