Mayo Clinic Introduces Us to their New, 4-Hooved Therapy Animal

There are many reasons that people come to Rochester, Minnesota for treatment at Mayo Clinic. But one of the reasons I would want to go to Mayo is because of their therapy animals! And they just introduced us to their new, four-hooved therapy animal named Munchkin.

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I little while ago I wrote about Mayo's therapy dog named Wavey. He's an adorable yellow lab who helps patients who need some cuddles to feel more comfortable.

READ MORE: Meet the Dog You Might See While Visiting Mayo Clinic

They also have another therapy dog named Alicia. Wavey and Alicia are called "trained facility dogs". According to MedicalMutt.com, that means they "generally 'work' full-time at the facility. They also require special training to fit the needs of that institution."

Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN New Therapy Animal

Wavey and Alicia now have a new buddy to help ease patients' stress and his name is Munchkin. He's just a little different from Wavey and Alicia because he's got four hooves and hair instead of fur.

Munchkin is a miniature horse!

Isn't he adorable? Mayo Clinic shared a video with more information about Munchkin on social media. They said that he's the first miniature horse that's part of the Mayo Clinic Rochester therapy animal team. He visits patients in the lobbies of different Mayo Clinic Rochester buildings and loves to read with kids. They say he likes to nuzzle the pages to help out.

Mayo also says that Munchkin is a great addition because some patients who could use animal therapy are either allergic to or afraid of dogs. And that's where Munchkin can help!

If you ever see me loitering by Mayo Clinic, you'll now know why.