PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Nancy Lambert knows how it feels to have your normal life interrupted and she knows how to ease the stress that creates.

Lambert spent three months in a hospital during her time in the Air Force. “I was separated from my family and friends and I was lonely. I have empathy for people who are going through a difficult time and I just wanted to do something to help,” she said.

Knowing many families are staying in American Red Cross shelters in the wake of Hurricane Michael, Lambert offered a diversion.

She and her husband, Joey, took time off from work to bring one of the mini horses from her stable – Kindred Spirits Therapy Minis – to a “meet and greet” at two shelters in Panama City.

Grownups and children alike lit up as they saw Cavilear. Reactions from the children ranged from a hug and a kiss to an animated conversation. “Hi there. Are you hungry? Do you want an apple?” asked three-year-old Bella Richard.