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.
Ronald McDonald House programs, located near top children’s hospitals, allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
On March 15, 2022, Dominique was happy and excited to go back and visit the staff and a new group of children at the Camden, NJ Ronald McDonald House! As usual, he did a good job of bringing everyone love and smiles.
On February 12, 2022, The Mill of Red Lion hosted a Valentine’s Day Event and Dominique was the star of the show. Fans came from all around to shower Dominique with lots of hugs and kisses. Young and old alike were happy to give him some Valentine’s Day love!
Ronald McDonald House programs, located near top children’s hospitals, allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
Dominique visited the children at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, NJ on December 9th. Everyone had such a good time! Dominique brought so much happiness, love and smiles, as all these photos show. We almost missed the little girl and her mother in the last picture. They were just coming as we were leaving.
On December 4th, The Mill of Red Lion in PA had a special event for pets to bring their owners, so they could have their photos taken with Santa. The Mill is a sponsor of Dominique’s Smiles and he was the Greeter! Dominique especially enjoyed meeting Santa Claus and having pictures taken with the jolly man! He also enjoyed watching the special demonstrations by T-Boyz Designes as they made pictures frames, key chains and other special gifts during the day!
Bob, who lives in the York area, received a surprise Birthday Visit from Dominique on December 6, 2021! Virginia, a friend, also enjoyed the visit.
Dominique stopped by to see Mary Anne Kilgore every time he visited Dallastown Manor Care. They both looked forward to their time together.
Mary Anne passed away on November 25, 2021. Our visits will be missed. It is an honor her family chose this photo of our last visit in November to be in her obituary. Dominique surprised the family by being at Mary Anne’s graveside service.
Dominique visited the residents at Dallastown Manor Care on November 5th. We always show pictures of the people we visit, but the staff is important to us as well! Everywhere we go it is the staff that makes everything run smoothly. They make residents, patients, and people in their care feel needed and loved. However, staff and directors have these very same needs. As you can see, Dominique understands, and his love is given to everyone. He also makes them laugh – it’s not every day you see the back end of a little horse sticking out of a doorway!
Dominique is also available for events held to thank staff members at hospitals or nursing homes. These have been very trying times for them as well!
Ronald McDonald House programs, located near top children’s hospitals, allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
On October 19th, in the late afternoon, Dominique visited Supergirl and the other excited children at the Wilmington, DE Ronald McDonald House! These kids are all Super Heroes and Dominique was pleased to bring them lots of smiles.
A recent posting on Facebook by staff stated, “Our House got a visit from Dominique’s Smiles yesterday! This miniature therapy horse may be small, but he gave our families (and staff) some big snuggles! Thank you, Dominique!”
I guess this woman was one of the reasons we were there at The Mill of Red Lion‘s event in PA on October 9th. She and her husband were driving by and when she saw Dominique she was so delighted they had to stop and meet him! She has a very aggressive form of cancer. On the following Monday she was to begin chemo treatments for quite a long time and then lots of radiation.
When she told me her story, and how just petting Dominique made her feel better, I told her to follow us into The Mill. There Beth, the manager, surprised her with a plush Dominique! Her husband later told me she is planning on taking the Little Dom with her for every treatment.
Ronald McDonald House programs, located near top children’s hospitals, allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
Dominique was invited to visit the Camden Ronald McDonald House on September 14, 2021. These photos are a gift to everyone who is a part of Dominique’s Smiles and has helped to make this ministry happen. If you could see through their masks, you would see all the smiles that Dominique brings, not only to sick children but their families as well. The world is full of caring, loving people!
