A terminally ill hospice patient’s final wish to be close to horses was fulfilled when two ponies were brought to her bedside at St Barnabas House in Worthing, England. Denise Lee, from Ashington in West Sussex, had loved horses since childhood and had also volunteered with the Riding for the Disabled Association. Unable to ride because of her illness, she hoped to experience the presence of horses one more time.
Denise’s daughter, Joanne Mullarkey, sought help through local Facebook community groups to make her mother’s wish possible. Her appeal eventually reached local horse owner Kerry Saunders, who offered to bring two ponies to the hospice. Staff members and volunteers then coordinated the visit, making arrangements for the animals to safely enter the care centre and spend time with Denise.
When the ponies arrived, Denise became visibly delighted as they approached her bed. She was able to reach out and stroke the animals while experiencing the familiar smell she had remembered from her lifelong connection with horses. Family members and hospice staff described the encounter as an emotional moment, with those present moved by Denise’s reaction to seeing the animals so close to her.
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Claire Wiggins, a healthcare assistant at St Barnabas House, said hospice staff regularly ask patients what matters most to them so they can focus on personal wishes during their final days. In Denise’s case, that request was simple — she wanted to see a horse again and feel its breath on her hand. Wiggins said the team worked with Denise’s family and local community members before Saunders stepped forward to make the visit possible.
The visit became a particularly meaningful memory for Denise’s family. Wiggins recalled that Denise was delighted by the ponies and said the moment was emotional for everyone present. Joanne later shared on Facebook that her mother died peacefully about 36 hours after the visit, adding that the experience gave Denise the opportunity to enjoy something deeply meaningful during one of her final conscious days.
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