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Santa, Mini Horse Bringing Christmas Cheer To Children In Hospital

BOSTON (CBS) -- Children in the hospital on Christmas Day got a special visit from Santa Thursday morning.

Dr. Mitch Pozner, a pediatrician at Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics, has been dressing up as Saint Nick for 25 years and bringing presents to the Floating Hospital For Children at Tufts Medical Center. His wife and children join him as "elves" for his Christmas visits.

mini pony
Lily the mini pony visits Tufts Medical Center (WBZ)

In the afternoon, Lily the 6-year-old miniature appaloosa horse will don her Christmas outfit and visit patients. Lily's handlers, Marsha Craig and Jack Craig, plan to give toy replicas of Lily in her holiday outfit to every patient Lily visits.

Lily Tufts mini horse
A file photo of Lily the mini horse and her handlers, dressed up for Christmas (Photo credit Tufts Medical Center)

Lily has been in Tuft's pet therapy program for nearly three years and visits patients about once per month.

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