Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Ponies Visit Hospice Patient to Fulfill Her Final Wish
Denise loved horses for most of her life.
She was very ill and could no longer ride them.
At the hospice, she said she wanted to see a horse one more time and feel its breath on her hand.
Her daughter asked for help online.
A local horse owner brought two ponies to the hospice, with staff helping arrange the visit safely.
Denise reached out and petted them.
Her family and caregivers said the moment was very emotional.
Her daughter later shared that Denise died peacefully 36 hours after the visit.
Denise Lee, a lifelong horse lover from Ashington, West Sussex, was receiving hospice care for terminal cancer.
She told hospice staff she wanted to see a horse and feel its breath on her hand one more time.
Her daughter, Joanne Mullarkey, sought help in local Facebook groups, and horse owner Kerry Saunders offered two ponies.
With hospice staff and volunteers coordinating the visit, the ponies came to Denise’s bedside at St Barnabas House in Worthing.
Denise petted the ponies and enjoyed their presence; her daughter said Denise died peacefully 36 hours later.
- Who
- Denise Lee, her family, hospice staff, and horse owner Kerry Saunders.
- What
- Two ponies visited Denise at her bedside to fulfill her wish to see and touch a horse.
- When
- In Denise’s final days; her daughter said Denise died 36 hours after the visit.
- Where
- St Barnabas House hospice in Worthing, England.
- Why
- Denise, who loved horses, wanted to experience being near one again while receiving hospice care.
- Patient
- Denise Lee, from Ashington, West Sussex
- Hospice
- St Barnabas House in Worthing, England
- Wish
- To see a horse and feel its breath on her hand
- Ponies
- Two ponies were brought to Denise’s bedside
- Organizers
- Hospice staff, volunteers, Denise’s family, and local horse owner Kerry Saunders
- After the visit
- Joanne Mullarkey said Denise died peacefully 36 hours later