URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A Carle patient took a huge step in her recovery on Thursday with the help of some four-legged friends.

16-year-old Tiffani Howell has been recovering since early August from a car accident, which took her ability to walk. She’s been working hard with the hospital’s rehab team to get back on her feet. On Thursday, they took a different approach, bringing in two miniature horses — Babe and Callie.

Howell got to brush their mane, braid it and more. Finally, she got to walk alongside Babe — accomplishing one of her biggest feats yet since the accident.

“It helped, to soothe me a little bit more. I walked further than what I had done before,” Howell said.

“I think everyone can understand the power of being in a good framework of mind to get better,” said Carle’s Child Life Lead Sara Krewson. “And research backs it up that if you are positive, if you are excited to get better, that things move faster. And so when we can do exciting, fun, supportive events like this, then we see patients walk faster, eat more, and get home quicker.”

Howell said she would love to continue working with the horses and their team. She also would recommend this to other patients in similar situations.