UCLA People-Animal Connection (PAC)

MTH is proud to be a part of the world-renowned UCLA People-Animal Connection. Since its inception, the PAC had only dog teams as part of its program. But then our sweet Blue Moon came along and made history! She is the FIRST mini therapy horse and non-canine to earn a spot on this illustrious roster of four-legged angels. She loves visiting with patients and staff on the beautiful UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center campus and also at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. She's always been one-of-a-kind to us here at MTH, but she's literally one of a kind in the PAC!

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon wearing surgical booties, a hat, a mask and a stethoscope for a UCLA PAC program photoshoot.

From the PAC blog: "PAC welcomed a special team at its monthly Pet Visit Station in July. Hospital visitors, patients, and staff had a blast horsing around with Blue Moon, a miniature therapy horse from the Malibu Mountains, and her handler, Victoria. As the first therapy animal other than a dog to visit Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in 24 years, the 28-inch tall mini-horse was a delightful surprise. She amazed the crowd with various tricks, such as her dazzling smile, “high-fives,” and keyboard playing. Everyone at the Pet Visit Station had the opportunity to stroke Blue Moon’s remarkably soft mane and coat and take pictures with her. Her cheerful disposition and prancing for the camera, as well as love of children and adults alike, attracted visitors of all ages."

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon poses in the Valentine's Day kissing booth at UCLA.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon and a PAC program therapy dog pose with staff at UCLA Santa Monica
pediatrics.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon and founder Victoria pose in the Valentine's Day kissing booth at UCLA Santa Monica.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon and founder Victoria pose for a selfie
with a PAC program therapy dog and staff at UCLA Santa Monica.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon and founder Victoria pose with Dodgers baseball player Mookie Betts on the field at Dodgers Stadium.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon and founder Victoria pose with another UCLA PAC team member and her dog on the field at Dodgers Stadium.

Mini Therapy Horse Penelope and founder Victoria walk the halls of UCLA Hospital to visit patients as part of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour event.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon and founder Victoria are interviewed by several news stations about their participation in the UCLA PAC Taylor Swift Eras Tour event.

Mini Therapy Horse Penelope poses her in Taylor Swift costume with founder Victoria and three UCLA doctors for the UCLA PAC Eras Tour event.

Mini Therapy Horse Blue Moon poses in her Taylor Swift costume with a canine member of the UCLA PAC Team.

About UCLA People-Animal Connection:

UCLA People-Animal Connection (PAC) is one of the most comprehensive Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activity (AAT/A) programs in the nation. PAC volunteer teams (consisting of the canine and his/her human partner) offer companionship and warmth to more than 1,000 critically ill children and adults per month. Since its inception in 1994, PAC teams have recorded more than 120,000 in-patients visits, as well as hundreds of thousands unrecorded visits to families and guests to UCLA medical centers and community events.