It was a heart-warming moment for palliative-care cancer patient Stephanie McManus as a hospital “built on horse money” coincidentally received a visit from a special equine companion.
An article in the Toronto Star explains that McManus was reunited with her beloved 10-year-old Tennessee walking horse named Luna just outside Hamilton's Juravinski Hospital on Wednesday morning.
“I’m overwhelmed...There’s a special bond with a horse. It’s hard to give that up. She’s an animal that brings joy to people’s lives,” McManus was quoted as saying.
The Toronto Star article explains that lifelong horse lover McManus, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2013, bought Luna last summer to help keep her motivated, and in return, provide peace and happiness to a horse that appeared to have been previously neglected.
Coincidentally, the hospital is sponsored by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame builder Charles Juravinski. The article states that Juravinski was thrilled when informed by a friend of both his and McManus that the visit would take place.
The visit was made possible with the assistance of the local Zachary’s Paws for Healing program, which was created by Donna Jenkins and has facilitated over 40 pet visits to the hospital since November. However, this was a first for the program that typically deals with dogs and cats. Jenkins was made aware of McManus' desire to see her equine friend one last time by hospital workers just a day prior when she had received a visit from her cat.
To read the Toronto Star article in its entirety, click here.
UPDATE: Stephanie McManus passed away on Thursday, January 21, just 22 hours after being able to visit with Luna one last time.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Stephanie McManus.
RIP Stephanie.
RIP Stephanie.