Welcome to Learning English, a daily 30-minute program from the Voice of America.

I'm Katie Weaver.

And I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

This program is designed for English learners, so we speak a little slower and we use

words and phrases especially written for people learning English.

Coming up, a report from Brian Lynn, followed by a story from me.

Later, a special report about Christmas in America long ago.

And we close the show with The Lesson of the Day.

But now here's Brian.

A non-profit group in Greece uses small horses to provide pet therapy to sick and disabled people.

But the organization is now considering its future after facing financial difficulties.

The Associated Press, AP recently met members of the group called Gentle Carousel Grease.

The animals are brought to hospitals and care centers to give joy to the sick

or those suffering physical limitations. The horses are bred as miniature animals and stand about 72

centimeters tall. They are specially trained to provide comfort to disabled

children, sick people, or older adults. One of the horses was recently brought to a school outside

Athens for children with special needs. At the school,

nine-year-old Josephina Topa Mazuk seemed drawn to a small gray horse. She ended up leading the animal

down a school hallway.

The horse, named Ivy, stood no taller than the girl's pink wheelchair.

I really want them to come again.

Josephina told the AP about Ivy and another visiting horse, Calypso. They made me feel really happy,

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