Bubbles bounces back after being mauled

A therapy horse almost mauled to death by a dog five months ago has returned to its work for the first time since the attack.

Bubbles, an 11-year-old miniature horse, spent time with 15 residents at New Plymouth’s Brooklands Rest Home and Memory Care, alongside fellow therapy horse Elsa.

Resident Wilmina Van Hoof couldn’t believe the horse had been through such a traumatic experience.

‘‘She doesn’t look like she’s been hurt,’’ she said. ‘‘She’s beautiful and she doesn’t have any troubles. She’s lovely.’’

Bubbles’ owner, Donna Mann, said the horse had made a full recovery and was ready to get back into providing therapy to people around New Plymouth.

‘‘She was really shut down before and she’d just stand there and wouldn’t really engage,’’ she said. ‘‘Whereas now she comes up to you and she’s bright-eyed.’’

The attack happened when two dogs descended on Mann’s Pioneer Rd property, where five of her miniature horses were grazing, at 4.30am one October morning.

Three of the miniature horses managed to escape but Bubbles was severely injured and horse Paris was mauled to death at the bottom of the property.

The dogs were handed in by their owner a week later and destroyed.

Although having to bury one of her horses had been hard, Mann said seeing Bubbles back into therapy work and interacting with people last Thursday made things better.

‘‘It’s the best place for her. It warms my heart because she’s perfect for it. We’ve both come a long way, I think, from that day."

PHOTOS: ANDY JACKSON/STUFF Miniature horse Bubbles visited the residents of Brooklands Rest Home, her first therapy visit since being mauled by dogs last October. From left are Donna Mann, Bubbles, Anastasia Crowley and Mary Kirby. Inset: Wilmina Van Hoof meets therapy horse Elsa.

Resident Elizabeth Konsett got close to Bubbles during the therapy visit.