About Romeo Roadshow - Our Story

White pony with a fluffy mane wearing a red halter in a fenced area.

Beginnings

After his previous owner passed away, Romeo was rescued and quickly became a star in the world of animal-assisted therapy. With a great deal of tender loving care (TLC) and training, it became clear that he was a very special horse. His affectionate and caring nature delighted his handlers, making him the perfect therapy horse. It was nearly impossible to be in a bad mood around Romeo; his sweetness was contagious, and he had the ability to bring a smile to anyone's face!

A white pony and a corgi dog inside a vehicle, looking at each other.

The Romeo Van

It was decided that Romeo, needed suitable transportation to reach people who could benefit from his magical presence through animal-assisted therapy. To address this need, the “Romeo Van” was designed and built to allow him to travel anywhere a car can go, without the limitations of a truck and horse trailer. With this new mobility, the name “Romeo Roadshow” was created.

A child gently interacts with a white pony while others watch on a sunny day.

The Romeo Roadshow Hits The Road

His first trips in the van included visits to the beach, where everyone he met was thrilled to encounter the handsome and friendly little horse, Romeo. He also attended a holiday party at The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with serious medical conditions, where his presence played a vital role in animal-assisted therapy. At three feet tall, Romeo was the perfect size to interact with kids in wheelchairs, gently lowering his head into their laps so they could pet him.

Two ponies wearing red halters inside a white vehicle.

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 quickly acclimated to traveling in the Romeo Van with his new friend and enthusiastically participated in Romeo Roadshow outings.

Two smiling elderly people posing with a small white pony outside on a sunny day.

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. 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.