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Miniature horse 'in demand' after BBC award win

Jo Kent
BBC Mr Kelloggs, a brown, miniature horse is pictured close up with his neck and head in shot. He is wearing a bridle, has a plait in his beige mane and is being patted on the nose by a man in a blue jumper, and wearing an grey, flat cap. The man is sitting in a wicker chair.BBC
Mr Kelloggs' nomination came as a "complete surprise", his owners said

A therapy horse is "even more in demand" since winning a BBC award, its owners have said.

Mr Kelloggs, a miniature horse, regularly goes into care homes and hospitals across Dorset and the New Forest to meet residents and patients.

In September, he won the animal award at BBC Radio Solent's Make a Difference Awards.

Meanwhile, Rob Franks was the winner of the community award and has urged people to put others forward this year: "If you know someone who's doing good in the community, 100% nominate them - don't hesitate. Nominations close on 31 March.

In the centre of the image there is miniature horse Mr Kelloggs. He is brown in colour and is wearing a bridle. To the right there is an older gentleman, a care home resident, wearing a blue dressing gown and sitting in a chair covered with a crochet blanket. He is leaning forward and stroking the horse on it's head. On the left side of the horse in the background is an older lady sitting in a chair. She is wearing a floral dress and red cardigan is is propped up by a pillow. She is speaking to the owner of the horse. This is a younger woman in the foreground with her back to the camera. She is crouched on the floor and wearing a royal blue coloured t-shirt with dark hair worn in a bun.
Mr Kelloggs on a visit to Eagles Mount Care Home in Poole

Mr Kelloggs is "even more in demand since his big win", said Sharon Gledhill, whose daughter Megan started Christchurch-based Linking Hearts Therapy Horses five years ago.

"Every time we went to a care home after the event everybody was so excited for us, and we had lots of messages on Facebook, so many people were so happy for us," she continued.

"They get to hug and kiss him and stroke him, and they tell lots of stories about their past when they were younger.

"It brings back lots of memories and just brightens them up and puts a spark back in their day again."

Mr Kelloggs' nomination came as a "complete surprise", Ms Gledhill explained.

"To be part of that experience was just phenomenal we were so honoured to be there and talking to so many people there, and hearing lovely stories of amazing things people were doing.

"You do what you do because you love it and you don't really seek recognition, so it was just the icing on the cake."

'Laptops in the loo'

A man is standing in a suit smartly dressed, he is holding an award in his hands. It is a BBC Make a Difference award, which has wording engraved on a glass panel. He is standing in front of a purple background with branding for the awards on it, with the wording Make a Difference, and BBC Radio Solent.
Rob Franks has also been awarded The British Empire Medal

Mr Franks, from Poole, was nominated for his work distributing laptops to disadvantaged young people.

It started during the Covid-19 lockdown when he put out an online plea for computers to help the school where his wife works, but it soon expanded.

"It was bonkers," he explained,

"We had laptops in the lounge, in the dining room, in the toilet - they were just everywhere."

Mr Franks, who also received the British Empire Medal in the King's Birthday Honours last year, refurbishes the computers himself and believes he has helped more than 1,000 children.

He is urging people to nominate others for this year's BBC awards.

"You just never know what that could do to somebody - it could really inspire them and other people around them, so definitely nominate if you know somebody who you think deserves it."

How to nominate

The Make a Difference Awards recognise and celebrate people, across eight different categories, who are going above and beyond to make a difference where they live.

Every BBC Local Radio station will host an awards ceremony in 2025.

The awards are a chance to say "thank you" and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for others.

Nominations can be made via the BBC Make a Difference website where you can also see full terms and the privacy notice.

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.