A very special birthday boy

Six-year-old Lacie Jones and her four-legged Shetland offsider Teddy, have been inseparable from day one. Their bond has seen them accomplish so much throughout the years as Lacie was just six months old when they met.

Evidently not your usual Shetland pony, Teddy has a true gentle soul, and with that, every few months he takes a trip out to UPA Molong to visit his elderly fans at the aged care home.

It was Melbourne Cup day two years ago and with the buzz around the aged care facility, Lacie’s Nan Veronica had the idea to bring Teddy in to meet the residents. Veronica explained, “Everyone said oh yes bring him in, they were very excited to meet him.

He has such a kind nature, he walks around the home, he goes into their rooms, if they are in bed, he will walk up to their bed to hey hello, nothing phases him. He loves it and the residents really look forward to his visits.”
Lacie continued, “There’s a lady that loves horses and since she got sick she had to give her horse away so Teddy gives her some company and makes her really happy.

“The residents can pat him and give him a cuddle and it brings back their happy memories. They are always waiting and waiting to see him again. I feel really happy since the old people just love and enjoy him,” said Lacie.
“My favourite thing about him is that he loves sweets, especially cherry ripes, he smiles for chocolate and Anzac biscuits. Teddy has also won me the most ribbons; we’ve participated in gymkhanas in both Molong and Blayney.”

Another fun quirk (and for Mothers of children looking at getting a horse, you may want to cover their eyes for this one) Teddy isn’t a stranger to going inside the house! Veronica laughed, “It was a cold day and so we said, let’s bring Teddy inside, well, he was more than happy to come in!

“Teddy and Lacie clicked from day one, when they met and he was so gentle with her, he has never hurt her, even when she was a toddler, he was just so gentle. He goes to the shows and puts up with getting dressed up and all of the works, he doesn’t bat an eye. everyone knows him and everyone looks forward to seeing him, he’s a real gentleman.”

This Saturday Teddy will be spending (his) the horse’s birthday at UPA Molong with all of his elderly fans. There has even been a whisper there will even be cake, do you think Teddy will blow out the candles or leave that one to Lacie?

Happy birthday Teddy!