Helen Kasing pets Koda the horse, whom she got to meet as part of a Twilight Wish Sunday, Oct. 23. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

NEW SEWICKLEY TWP, Beaver County — Helen Kasing rode horses as a child, having owned three that she remembers.

However, none of her horses could paint pictures or slam dunk a basketball — two tricks she got to see Koda the horse perform Sunday, Oct. 23.

Kasing, a 69-year-old living at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant in Zelienople, got to meet Koda at Whispering Pines on Sunday, as part of a wish granted by the Butler County Chapter of Twilight Wish

Upon seeing the miniature horse, Kasing began crying, thinking of her childhood horses.

“He’s beautiful,” Kasing said. “I would like to ride him.”

Jean Bowen, co-director of Twilight Wish, said the organization grants about 100 wishes a year for people over age 65, with a focus mainly on people of low-income.

Bowen said Kasing was nominated for Twilight Wish by a social worker just about a week ago.

“We just got this wish last Monday, so we made it happen fast because weather is going to get bad,” Bowen said.

Bowen said the organization was able to grant Kasing’s wish so quickly because it has ties to Rebecca Mogielski, who owns Koda and several other horses in New Sewickley Township.

Bowen said other wishes Twilight Wish has made come true include several “bucket list” experiences, as well as buying equipment that the senior wish recipients would otherwise not be able to afford.

“We’ve done hot air balloon rides, Disney World,” Bowen said. “We’ve paid for two or three dozen hearing aids, dental work for people who couldn’t afford it.”

Mogielski introduced Kasing to Koda, let her pet her mane and showed her some basketball tricks. She also had another miniature horse, Bella, pull Kasing around on a cart.

Mogielski said that although she has trained her horses for years to perform these tasks, “just being around horses is calming.”

“It does bring peace to some people. It might help them open up more,” Mogielski said. “I think they are very in tune with people feelings; it’s almost like they can read your mind.”

Kasing also received a painting done by Koda, and flowers and a toy horse from Twilight Wish. Bowen said the organization tries to make the wish granting an event, so the senior citizens get an experience they will never forget.

She said Twilight Wish performs other initiatives as well, like “adopting“ residents of nursing and rehabilitation facilities who don’t have any family around the winter holidays, and hosting ice cream socials. She said the organization has only one fundraiser a year, and gets donations to help pay for the wishes.

“I think our most expensive wish was around $3,200,” Bowen said. “We have everywhere from doing things for free to paying thousands of dollars.”

Kasing smiled her way through the horse activities Sunday afternoon, and enjoyed being out with the animals.

While the wish being granted was Kasing’s, Mogielski said the opportunity was a landmark occasion for her as well.

“This is actually helping my wish come true because I have always wanted to do this,” Mogielski said, of having her horses meet with Kasing. “We trained him to do tricks, and I’d like him to meet other people.”

Angela Ray, left, rides with Helen Kasing as she gets pulled by Bella the horse, guided by Rachael Mogielski, as part of Kasing’s wish granted by Twilight Wish on Sunday, Oct. 23. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Helen Kasing gets a kiss from Koda the horse on Sunday, Oct. 23 Twilight Wish helped grant the 69-year-old’s wish. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Helen Kasing looks at the sign put up for her to welcome her to her wish from Twilight Wish on Sunday, Oct. 23. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Amanda Burns, left, the social media specialist for Twilight Wish, is with Cindy Speck as she hands Helen Kasing a gift Sunday, Oct 23. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Koda shows off one of his many tricks to Helen Kasing — playing basketball for her as part of her wish granted by Twilight Wish on Sunday, Oct. 23. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle