Housebound ex-serviceman enjoys special window visit from physio's horse

01 February 2023 , 17:48

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Mr Riley at the window of Terry's home after owner Debra found out about his passion for horses (Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Fo)

Housebound former serviceman Terry Davis got a very special visit from a horse called Mr Riley thanks to his thoughtful physiotherapist, Debra Alton.

Debra, who owns Mr Riley, is part of 65-year-old Terry’s palliative care team and arranged the visit after finding out her patient had 15 horses of his own before becoming ill.

After patting and feeding Mr Riley through the window, Terry said: “I was so happy and humbled to receive a visit from Deb’s horse. I can’t believe someone would do that for me, it made me feel very special and loved.”

Debra spoke to Terry’s wife Janet before making the surprise visit to the couple’s house in Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, with Mr Riley.

Debra spoke to Terry’s wife Janet before making the surprise visit to the couple’s house in Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, with Mr Riley (North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Fo)

Debra at the window of Terry's home (North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Fo)

Afterwards, Debra said: “During my conversations with Terry it became clear his passion for his love of horses.

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“He owned 15 horses at one point, but sadly had to find new homes for them due to his deteriorating health.

“I always joked about that one day I was going to bring my horse to meet him – that I would just turn up with my trailer and he could see him from the window.”

Debra said horses were widely used as therapy for people with disabilities and PTSD.

Debra said horses were widely used as therapy for people with disabilities and PTSD (North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Fo)

Janet said: “We couldn’t believe how Debra went above and beyond to do all that for Terry, it was unbelievable. What a memory. The family were so grateful it was amazing.”

Terry, who wears an oxygen mask due to his lung disease, gets home visits from the specialist palliative care team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

A statement for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said Debra’s visit with Mr Riley was an example of the trust’s “outstanding staff going above and beyond yet again for patients”.

Jeremy Armstrong