Miniature therapy horse brings hugs, hope and healing to Tampa General Hospital
A woman who credits horses for helping her heal from childhood trauma is spreading some sweetness at a Tampa hospital.
Horses help healing process at Bay Area hospitals
Honey’s Mini-Therapy Adventures brings mini-therapy horses to Bay Area colleges, nursing homes and hospitals to help bring a calming presence.
Extraordinary Ordinaries: Corpus Christi Catholic teacher helps students find meaning through music
For the music teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Temple Terrace, it's pretty easy for middle schoolers to buy into the guitar and ukulele.
Temple Terrace teacher shows students how music is powerful
A teacher in Temple Terrace has the rhythm for music and innovation. Everyone has a favorite teacher and his students could probably write a song about theirs.
Lived trauma drives Crisis Center of Tampa Bay CEO's passion for helping others
*This story contains descriptions of self harm and suicide.* The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay assists people who are in crisis. Their training is one piece. Having lived through trauma, grief and crisis, and being able to relate to the caller goes even further.
Lakeland dads carry tradition of entertaining parents in car lines as another faces battle against cancer
The car line at South McKeel Elementary in Lakeland – like all school car lines – is a crazy time for parents. But one group of dads tries to make it fun throughout the entire month of October by dressing up in costumes every day. It's a tradition started by one father, who is now battling cancer. The rest of the dads stepped up, and are still carrying the tradition.
Dads carry tradition to make carline best part of Lakeland school day
This week's Extraordinary Ordinaries are these Lakeland dads in Halloween costumes, but it was Dax Gringas, a father whose child attends McKeel Elementary, who began the spooky season tradition. Every day in October, he dressed in a different costume to entertain parents who sit and wait in those long car lines. But when he was diagnosed with cancer, and couldn't dedicate his time to it anymore, other dads stepped up.
4-year-old cancer patient who loves dirt, big trucks gets dream job as construction worker for the day
Owen, who is 4 years old, has mostly been familiar with harsh treatments and hospital rooms. But what he really loves is dirt. He is in the final stages of his leukemia treatment and spent a day doing what he wants to do when he grows up -- being a construction worker.
Pediatric cancer patient spends day as Tampa construction worker
When Owen grows up, he wants to be a heavy machine operator. But right now, he is battling cancer and is in the final stages of his leukemia treatment. For one day, he was distracted from the disease and got to be a construction worker.
Mural of Northeast High player, who died after collapsing on football field, brings awareness to rare disease
A mural, which features Jacquez Welch, greets everyone who files into the Northeast High football field where he collapsed in 2019. It's not only a tribute to his family, but it's also a reminder of how he died and brings awareness to a rare disease that went undiagnosed.
Jacquez Welch mural honors his past at Northeast High, raises awareness about AVM
Jacquez Welch's mom already cried sad tears, but now it's time for some happy, nostalgic ones. A mural, which features Jacquez Welch, greets everyone who files into the football field where he collapsed in 2019. It's not only a touching tribute to his family, but it also is a reminder of how he died and brings awareness to the rare disease that went undiagnosed.
Tampa mom creates service that provides love, comfort to NICU babies
A Tampa mom who become a Guardian Ad Litem noticed babies, who were were abused or exposed to drugs and taken to a hospital, were not receiving the love and attention they need. So, she created a program that allows visits to these children to hold them and provide that comfort.
Guardian Ad Litem creates program allowing visits to substance-exposed newborns in NICU
A Tampa mom who become a Guardian Ad Litem noticed babies, who were were abused or exposed to drugs and taken to a hospital, were not receiving the love and attention they need. So, she created a program that allows visits to these children to hold them and provide that comfort.
'I'm human as well': TPA officer balances law enforcement with kindness among traveling passengers
While Officer Jimmie Bizzle is patrolling around the Tampa International Airport, he is also always looking for a way to help passengers. "Allow me, a law enforcement officer, to show I’m human as well."
TPA officer offers helping hand to travelers
While Officer Jimmie Bizzle is patrolling around the Tampa International Airport, he is also always looking for a way to help passengers. "Allow me, a law enforcement officer, to show I’m human as well."
Tampa barber who cuts hair for local athletes credits mom's decision to move to Florida for his success
Justin McNab runs the 'Razorz Edge' barber shop in Tampa, and it is truly remarkable that Justin is where he is when you look back at his humble beginnings. If it wasn't for his mother moving him across the country to Florida, he wouldn't be cutting the hair of some of the biggest names in sports.
Tampa barber rose from struggles, humble beginnings to build his business
From LA to Florida, this barber's story is filled with hard lessons and a mother's decision to move him across the country to Florida after his life started heading in the wrong direction. If it wasn't for that, he says he wouldn't have become a veteran or cutting hair for local athletes.
Lakeland seniors stay spry, sharp and social with woodworking program
A woodshop located inside a Lakeland senior community is sharpening residents mentally, physically and socially.
Clearwater rage room explores healing power of smashing
Smash rooms have been growing in popularity, creating a safe space to destroy things -- which can also be therapeutic. One local woman opened a rage room in Clearwater after -- like many others -- had a stressful year in 2020.
The therapeutic ways of smash rooms
Smash rooms have been growing in popularity, creating a safe space to destroy things -- which can also be therapeutic. One local woman opened a rage room in Clearwater after -- like many others -- had a stressful year in 2020.