A woman receiving care at St Barnabas House in Worthing was able to spend time with two ponies in her final days, after a community appeal helped arrange a surprise hospice visit.
Denise Lee, from Ashington, West Sussex, had a lifelong love for horses and volunteered with the Riding for the Disabled Association. Her cancer diagnosis meant she could no longer ride.
Last month, while at the hospice, Ms Lee expressed a wish to touch a horse and experience the "horsey smell" again. Her daughter, Joanne, then appealed for help through local Facebook community groups.
Kerry Saunders, also from Ashington, responded to the appeal and brought two Shetland ponies to the hospice. Staff helped move Ms Lee's bed into a courtyard so she could meet and stroke the animals, with family members, including her granddaughters, present.
The visit took place on Friday 14 August, which Joanne described as the last day her mother was fully conscious. Ms Lee died the following Sunday.