Miniature Pony Visit Brings Joy to Hospice Patient in Heartwarming Moment
A miniature pony standing at a patient's bedside is an unexpected sight in a clinical setting, but at St Clare Hospice, creating meaningful moments is an integral part of everyday care. Donna, a 52-year-old mother of two, was overjoyed when her niece Chloe and partner Jenny brought their miniature pony, Tiny Ted, to visit her at the hospice.
Compassionate Care Enables Unique Visit
The visit was made possible thanks to the compassionate, person-centered approach that defines hospice care. Donna's lifelong love of horses began in childhood when she had her own horse, Arthur, and she competed in showjumping before becoming a mother. Her husband, Denis, shared that from the moment she arrived at St Clare's Inpatient Unit, the difference in environment and care was immediate.
Denis expressed: "We thought we were bringing Donna here to die. But actually, it's given us some more time to be a family. All we want to focus on is doing the things that make Donna happy. There's nothing more important than that."
Creating Precious Memories
When Donna's family suggested bringing the pony to visit her, the St Clare Hospice team did not hesitate. They worked closely with the family to arrange the visit and ensure Donna could enjoy the experience in comfort. Denis added: "It broke up the week in the best possible way. Being at the Hospice has been the most amazing experience, everyone here is so kind and caring. All of the staff do such a wonderful job and the level of care has been superb."
As Donna prepared to return home with support from St Clare's Clinical Nurse Specialists, her family said the hospice has given them a memory they will always treasure. Denis noted: "We know we've still got difficult days ahead of us. We just want to squeeze in as many happy moments as we can. Right now, every moment with Donna is precious and we want to make sure every moment counts. Being able to create these memories with her means everything."
Hospice Care Beyond Symptoms
St Clare Hospice inpatient unit manager Rosie Hewer emphasized: "Hospice care is about so much more than managing symptoms – it's about understanding who someone is beyond their diagnosis. When we learned how important horses have been throughout Donna's life, we knew this visit would bring comfort and joy at a time when everything else feels uncertain."
She continued: "Being able to say 'yes' to moments like this is what makes hospice care so special. It's a privilege to help families create memories together that will stay with them forever."
Donna was admitted to St Clare's Inpatient Unit following a sudden and devastating stage 4 terminal diagnosis after suffering from unexplained headaches. The hospice serves areas including Harlow, Epping Forest, Uttlesford, Bishop's Stortford, and Sawbridgeworth, providing tailored support to patients and their families during challenging times.
