A terminally-ill cancer sufferer had her dying wish granted by a caring hospice workers – to see her beloved HORSE one more time.
Tracey Dunne, who is in her 50s, is receiving palliative care at a St Luke’s specialist unit and was desperate to see her horse, Malone, one last time.
Staff at the hospice in Plymouth, Devon went the extra mile and arranged for the 17-year-old horse to be brought to hospice by Tracey’s husband, Tim.
They filmed the reunion and Malone can be seen nuzzling into Tracey’s hand and comforting her.
Tim, who has been married to Tracey for almost 30 years, has said he is ‘in awe’ of the care provided by the hospice.
The couple have no children.
He said: “While we’ve played the St Luke’s lottery for years because we’re aware of the outstanding work of the charity. We never guessed it would be us needing the service
“I have often joked that the guy who collects our subs has a knack for calling when I’m down to the last fiver in my pocket.”
Tim says that Tracey, who was a well-respected buildings conversation consultant, has always loved being outside.
He added: “Away from work, she has always loved being on Dartmoor, enjoying nature and getting muddy.
“Tracey is so talented, kind and always thinking of others – one of the many memories I treasure is of her in pink pyjamas, doing a charity abseil down the Civic Centre.
“When you hear the term ‘hospice care’ it is frightening, and, while the fear doesn’t go away completely, I’m in awe of the way St Luke’s has been alongside us throughout.
“It’s given us both such an overriding sense of peace.
“When Tracey needed care at home, nurse Derek came to visit. It wasn’t just his specialist knowledge that helped but his empathy, too.
“He had a really good rapport with Tracey and knew just how to encourage her to describe her pain and other symptoms so that he could expertly manage them.
“Then, when Tracey needed to be in hospital, the St Luke’s team on Brent Ward always treated us with the utmost respect and went out of their way, despite many other demands on their time.
“Even with such reassuring experience of St Luke’s, the realisation that Tracey needed to be admitted to the hospice building felt daunting. It’s not what you’d expect at all though.
“In a sense there are many parallels with our home because it’s bright, airy and enjoys stunning views.
“It’s been comforting for both of us that I’ve been able to stay by Tracey’s side, and from the nurses to the cleaning staff and receptionists, kindness is everywhere.
“Tracey and I always speak openly with each other and with her receiving such expert care, we’ve had the space to have difficult but necessary conversations.
“As she wanted, we have even been able to discuss her wishes for her funeral.
“From the beautiful gardens to the wonderful way they’ve enabled Betty to be with us and helped reunite Tracey with Malone, I will always be so grateful to St Luke’s and remember the big smile they put on my beautiful wife’s face.”