About Us

Welcome to Dominique’s Smiles!

Dominique & Sandy
Dominique Visiting Kids at Spring Forge Intermediate School 5-24-2022
Dominique visiting the White Rose Senior Center in York, PA in August.

Dominique’s Smiles is our mission to bring smiles and love into everyone’s life. We visit hospitals, nursing facilities, Ronald McDonald Houses, private homes, schools, and wherever else needed to bring hope and sunshine into children and adults’ lives through an exceptional mini horse named Dominique.


About Sandy (Dominique’s Handler)

Dominique and Sandy

Sandy Smith is the founder of Dominique’s Smiles and the proud owner of Dominique the mini therapy horse. Sandy has been a horsewoman most of her life teaching students of all ages along with training and showing horses. She started an Easter Seal and Girl Scout riding program in York County.

Sandy steeplechased as an owner, trainer, and jockey, and is a licensed racehorse trainer. She understands the pure joy a horse can bring to someone who is lonely, troubled, sick, and hurting.


The Story Behind Dominique’s Smiles

Dominique the mini horse

I started Dominique’s Smiles because children have asked me if I would bring a horse to the hospital for a visit. I simply did not have a small suitable horse for that wish or one that would even fit through the door!

I promised those children I would train a miniature horse to take around to hospitals for children with cancer and other life-threatening health problems. I had to keep that promise.

Dominique’s Smiles is my fulfillment of that promise. It is our mission to bring smiles and love into everyone’s life. By visiting private homes, nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and wherever needed, we hope to bring some sunshine into the lives of both children and adults.

Dominique is seven years old and 33” high. His size makes it easy for him to fit in between beds and get around equipment. His gentleness softens hearts as he brings smiles with love to all. This little horse loves people and seems to instinctively know he needs to be patient, sensitive, and calm around the people we visit.

Dominique is a Certified Level 1 Mini Therapy Horse, and I am a Certified Master Handler by Seven Oaks Farm in Ohio.

Dominique’s Smiles is a non-profit organization and all services are free of charge. Donations to help offset Dominique’s care and travel expenses are gratefully accepted!

Dominique’s services are free and we look forward to hearing from you. Schedule a visit today!

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Dominique was featured on Lancaster Farming

Dominique on CatskillHorse.org