Pony Visits Hospice Ward, Bringing Joy to Patients

Seven Hospice delivers specialist care for individuals facing incurable illnesses throughout Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales. The hospice emphasizes a holistic approach, focusing on enriching patients' lives beyond medical treatment. Medical Director Derek Willis shared an instance where a Shetland pony, Crumpet, visited a patient's room, bringing immense surprise and joy.

This unique care model extends to other personalized experiences. The hospice facilitates visits from beloved pets, brings horses to gardens for patients to see, and even arranges for motorbikes, a passion for some patients, to ride past the hospice. They also have a therapy dog, Rufus, who regularly visits.

Willis stressed that hospices are places of life, not just end-of-life care. Many patients are admitted for symptom management and are discharged home. The hospice strives to fulfill patient wishes, such as recreating a beach experience with a sandpit, a donkey, and an ice cream van for one individual.

While cancer is a common condition treated, the hospice also cares for patients with neurological disorders, neuromuscular diseases, heart failure, and COPD. The overarching philosophy is to see the person, not just their illness, and to help them live their life to the fullest at every stage.