94-Year-Old Hospice Patient Gets To Revisit An Old Love

Jacqueline Gill has a love for horses that few people would understand, and at 94-years-old, she got the chance to revisit that love.

“As soon as I hit the outside of the doors and smelled the horses, my liking went up immediately,” said hospice patient, Jacqueline Gill.

The familiar sights, sounds, and smells are immediately recognizable. A day that was a dream for Mrs. Gill.

“You would not believe how many times I wake up and I had a dream about riding horses,” said Mrs. Gill.

She spent much of her life as a horse trainer, and for her the sensations are still just as real today.

“You get the same feel, and your hair flies back. It’s a joy just to dream about horses,” said Mrs. Gill.

Mrs. Gill is in hospice care, and her friends at Valir hospice wanted to give her a special day.

“We ask them, what is something you haven’t done in a long time, that you used to really enjoy? Sometimes it’s fishing, sometimes it’s horses,” said Kristyn Joiner with Valir Hospice.

Richard Gill is Jacqueline’s husband, and he saw her light up even before they got out of the car.

“This has just been beautiful, when we pulled up, she goes, oh that smells good,” said Mr. Gill.

Mrs. Gill brushed and even fed the horses treats, and everyone at Cross Creek stables in Edmond could feel her joy.

“This was just like the perfect experience for her,” said Joiner.  

“Just to be around them and look at them, watch the people interact with them, she misses that,” said Mr. Gill.  

A simple request for a simple day, that was truly special.

“It’s been a true joy,” said Mrs. Gill.

Now Valir Hospice does these events often and no matter how simple the request, they all end up being extremely special.