Here is a cool story about a horse who helped a boy with autism and is now in the Horse Stars Hall of Fame!  Horses are such great healers and it's awesome that Betsy was recognized for her ability to help heal, and is part of the Hall of Fame alongside of famous show horses.  ~Declan

Horse used to treat autism named to hall of fame 

Rupert and Rowen Isaacson ride Betsy, a quarter horse owned by Isaacson’s neighbor in 2010. Betsy is being inducted into the US Equine Foundation Hall of Fame for her part in helping children with autism, like Rowen, learn to communicate and learn better. Credit: Illane Lorenz

Posted: 12:00 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2013 on Statesman.com
By Patrick Beach

American-Statesman Staff

Nearly four years ago, we first brought you the story of Elginites Rupert Isaacson, Kristin Neff, their son Rowan and Texas quarter horse Betsy, which was instrumental in easing autism’s grip on the young boy.

On Saturday, Betsy, now almost 30, was inducted into the inaugural class of about 75 into the U.S. Equus Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame in Wellington, Fla., joining Olympic dressage champions and other hoofed high-achievers.

Isaacson wrote a book about he and his wife’s efforts to heal the boy, which included an epic trip to Mongolia chronicled in his book, “The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son,” released in 2009.

Rowan is now 11 and still rides Betsy to school every day, said Isaacson, who still runs the Horse Boy Foundation in Elgin but has expanded therapeutic horse therapy globally. Betsy also continues to work with families who visit the facility next door to Isaacson’s and Neff’s home.

“What’s touching is a lot has been written about me and Rowan, but this is the first time someone has done something on this scale about Betsy,” Isaacson said from Florida last week. “Betsy was the giver of the gifts that Rowan and I benefited from, and subsequently all the other families. The fact that they’re honoring her specifically is rather beautiful.”

Betsy is owned by Isaacson’s neighbor, Stafford O’Neil, with whom the family has been friends for many years, Isaacson said.

The initial facility the foundation used for horse therapy burned in the 2011 wildfires. Isaacson moved the operation next to his home.