Tinker the mini horse rings bells for the Salvation Army

WEST BEND (WITI) -- The Salvation Army's final push for donations this holiday season got some help from a special four-legged friend on Christmas Eve!

Tinker the miniature horse was out ringing bells for the Salvation Army on Christmas Eve.

She was at the Pick 'N Save in West Bend for a few hours on Christmas Eve -- as the Salvation Army says donations have been lower than expected this year.

So how did Tinker become a bell ringer in the first place?

"I was coming out a store and I gave to the Salvation Army and because I love animals and I'm an animal trainer I went home and I decided to work with Tinker and I taught him how to ring the bell for the Salvation Army so I put my two loves together," Carol Takacs said.

This year is Tinker's fifth year ringing bells for the Salvation Army.