Hayley’s horse visits her hospice bedside
A patient receiving care in Florence Nightingale Hospice at Stoke Mandeville Hospital had a very special visitor. Hayley Golding was visited in the hospice by her beloved horse Passion on Thursday 30 June. The pair had a very emotional reunion in the hospice garden with family, friends and staff around to witness the love between them.
According to Hayley: âThe whole day was awesome, to see Passion walking toward me was unbelievable. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved who made this happen, I didnât believe it would be possibleâ
Hayleyâs family added: âFrom the moment the idea was suggested we didnât actually believe it was possible, however it did happen. It seems that nothing was too much trouble, to see the look on Hayleyâs face when she saw Passion was wonderfulâ.
Trust chaplain, Pete Griffith, who took photographs for the family said: “It was great to be able to support Hayley and the family in capturing such a special moment. It shows what good, holistic spiritual care for our patients looks like and the hospice went above and beyond to ensure Hayley’s reunion with Passion would be a special moment. I think everyone there was moved by the connection Hayley has with her horse and it certainly lifted everyone’s day”.
Liz Monaghan, Matron for Palliative and End of Life Care for the Trust said: âIt was such an emotional day, many members of staff were in tears. There was something so touching about the tenderness shown by such a large and beautiful animal towards Hayley â it really did feel like Passion was saying goodbye. I feel very privileged to have been there to see it and extremely happy that the team could make this important moment happen for Hayley.â
