Official Romeo Roadshow Organic Cotton T-Shirts are now available on our store!!!
About Romeo Roadshow - Our Story
Beginnings
The wonderful and enchanting Romeo came to us after his previous owner passed away. At roughly 16 years old, Romeo, like many miniature horses, had not been handled very much and was almost "feral." He had spent his entire adult life living in his owner's backyard, and due to a lack of proper nutrition, he developed Cushing's disease.
However, as soon as we brought him to his new forever home, he began to thrive! He received a proper diet and started a training program that allowed him to learn new things and experience the world. His fearless calm, and ridiculously adorable personality quickly emerged. It became evident almost immediately that Romeo loved going to new places, learning new things, and especially meeting new people.
His affectionate, curious, and caring nature was a delight to everyone he met, and his sweetness was contagious. It was clear that he was a very special little horse and a natural fit to become a fantastic therapy animal. It was as if he were telling us himself! Before long, he became a star in the world of animal-assisted therapy, bringing smiles to everyone he encountered!
The Romeo Van
Romeo came to us in a standard horse trailer. During the entire journey, we noticed that he was trying to stand on his hind legs to get a better view out of the window, which was designed for a regular-sized horse. We realized that Romeo needed a form of transportation that would allow him to travel comfortably and safely to various animal-assisted therapy locations. Additionally, a truck and horse trailer were not practical for parking and maneuvering at many of the facilities we would be visiting. This led to the idea of building a van specifically designed for him!
After purchasing a van, we designed and constructed an interior horse compartment and ramp tailored to Romeo's size, enabling him to travel anywhere a car can go while still enjoying a view! With this van, we named the project "Romeo Roadshow."
The Romeo Roadshow Hits The Road
His first trips in the van included visits to the beach and shopping areas in town, where everyone he met was thrilled to encounter the handsome and friendly snow-white horse with big, sweet brown eyes. He was consistently calm and happy to be there.
He attended his first holiday party at The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with serious medical conditions, marking his first experience with animal-assisted therapy. From the start, he was an absolute pro! At three feet tall, Romeo was the perfect size to interact with kids, especially those in wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. He would gently lower his head into their laps so they could pet and cuddle him.
A New Friend Named Ziggy
Next, Romeo was a special guest at a charity event in Hollywood for the Lollipop Theater Network - an organization that works with critically ill children to improve their lives and build self-confidence. These outings generated momentum and support, leading to the decision to find a friend for Romeo to aid him in his growing mission to spread love and joy to those in need.
Soon, 'Ziggy,' another miniature horse with an ideal temperament for therapy work, was adopted. He instantly acclimated to traveling in the Romeo Van with his new friend and especially loves resting his chin on the cushy pad in the van. Ziggy has a funny, goofy, slightly zany personality but when he's doing his Romeo Roadshow outings, his patience and zen-state of mind are stunning.
Seniors
Starting in the summer of 2024, both horses began making regular visits to Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks, a non-profit organization that offers daycare and various supportive services aimed at promoting the health and well-being of seniors. Romeo and Ziggy love meeting new people and they both remember the people they have met. They have formed many super sweet relationships.
This year, they also visited victims of the Eaton Fire at an American Red Cross shelter in Pasadena. Additionally, they have included another non-profit for seniors, the Camarillo Health Care District, in their regular visit schedule. In the future, the Romeo Roadshow plans to extend their visits to Veterans' care facilities as well.