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[00:00.68] Karagianni also told the AP she learned about the Florida-based organization over the internet while she was searching for information on a pony she had rescued.

[00:15.82] After learning about the group’s activities, she got the idea to start her own operation.

[00:23.52] “I was touched and I was moved, and I said: ‘OK, we have to bring this to Greece,’” Karagianni said.

[00:33.88] So, she decided to make changes to her land to be able to care for the horses.

[00:41.58] She said she turned her property into what she calls a “Magic Garden.”

[00:48.22] She has everything she needs to care for the horses.

[00:53.00] She also runs a small restaurant and party area.

[00:58.31] Karagianni launched her Greek group in 2014.

[01:03.10] She said the organization has served about 12,000 children since it began until the pandemic led to restrictions in 2020.

[01:15.84] The pandemic caused financial pressures and Karagianni herself faced a medical problem that hurt her ability to run the group.

[01:28.06] “I’m just starting to get myself back together again now,” she told the AP.

[01:35.23] “With a lot of financial difficulties. But what can I do? I’m trying.”

[01:41.61] Karagianni said she had contacted businesses and non-profit groups about financial help but has not been successful.

[01:53.30] She plans to continue to seek help.

[01:56.75] “I’m making super-human efforts,” Karagianni said.

[02:02.06] “I’m doing what I can. But I can’t do it alone,” she added.

[02:07.37] Karagianni said she keeps going because she sees the great benefits the children and adults receive from the animals.

[02:18.54] At the special needs school, teacher Eleni Volikaki said she sees “incredible” reactions from the children.

[02:29.16] “It’s like something awakens their senses.”

[02:32.87] Volikaki noted the horses can often get students to make more progress than with other therapy methods.

[02:42.97] “We saw things we didn’t expect,” she said.

[02:46.95] “We saw children with autism, or children who are generally afraid of animals, coming very close, letting the (horses) get close to them.” Volikaki added.