In a heartwarming act of compassion, the final wish of Denise Lee, a devoted horse lover who passed away recently, was fulfilled when two ponies were brought to visit her at a hospice. Denise, a 79-year-old grandmother from Worthing, England, had dedicated a significant part of her life to horses and supporting equine initiatives, including the Riding for the Disabled charity. However, a terminal cancer diagnosis three years ago limited her access to the animals she cherished.
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Lee’s daughter, Joanne Mullarkey, recalled a poignant moment from August, when her mother expressed a desire to experience horse-related sensations one last time. “She wanted to feel the horse’s breath on her hand and experience that ‘horsey smell’ again,” Mullarkey shared. Understanding the profound significance this experience held for her mother, Joanne decided to reach out to the local community via social media to see if anyone could help make this dream a reality.
Within hours of Mullarkey’s heartfelt plea on Facebook, local horse owner Kerry Saunders came forward with an offer to bring her two ponies to St. Barnabas House hospice. The staff, including healthcare assistant Claire Wiggins, collaborated with the family to organise the visit quickly. Wiggins noted that the hospice routinely asks patients about their wishes each day, focusing on what matters most to them. “When I asked Denise what mattered to her, she told me she just wanted to see a horse, one more time,” Wiggins explained.
The next morning, the ponies arrived at the hospice, and Denise’s face lit up at the sight of them. The emotional meeting was a touching moment for her family and caregivers alike. “Denise was just so delighted. It was a very emotional moment; we all cried,” Wiggins recounted. They witnessed the joy as Denise petted the horses, a taupe one with a black mane and a white pony adorned with black spots, creating a precious lasting memory for both the family and the hospice staff.
Joanne Mullarkey later shared her mother’s experience on social media, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity provided to Denise shortly before her passing. “It was perfect, mum cried, we cried, the nurses cried!” she wrote. Just 36 hours after the ponies’ visit, Denise passed away peacefully, leaving behind a poignant legacy of love and fond memories.
In her heartfelt post, Mullarkey remarked on how humbled she felt by the support from her community, who had helped turn her mother’s final wish into a reality. “Thanks everyone, we will always have a beautiful memory to look back on,” she added, sharing several touching images of her mother interacting with the ponies.
For Kerry Saunders, the horse owner who facilitated the visit, the experience was incredibly meaningful. She expressed her privilege in being able to contribute to fulfilling Denise’s wish. “The ponies were absolutely amazing,” she remarked, highlighting the connection that unfolded between Denise and the horses in her final moments.
The bond between humans and animals, particularly in the context of end-of-life care, was echoed by hospice staff who emphasised the importance of personalising patient care to enhance the quality of their remaining days. Clare Wiggins noted that such fulfilling experiences could uplift both the patient and their loved ones, reinforcing the hospice’s commitment to making terminal patients’ dreams come true, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Denise Lee’s story serves as a reminder of the power of community support and the simple yet profound joys that can bring comfort in the face of sorrow. As her family reflects on this treasured memory, they hold onto the hope that such acts of kindness can shine through even in life’s most difficult moments.