Therapy Ponies Make a Golden Wish Come True at Croston Park

At Croston Park Care Home, creating meaningful moments is at the heart of everything we do. Recently, one very special wish was brought to life for resident Barbara Freeman — thanks to our Golden Wishes initiative.

Barbara, who has been living with us for three months, shared with our Wellbeing Coordinator, Jenny Forrest, just how much she has always loved horses. As a young girl, she rode ponies in the Lake District and later owned her beloved horse, Sasha. Although years have passed, those memories remain incredibly special to her.

When Barbara told us she would love to see a horse again, we knew we had to make it happen.

Working closely with her son, David, our team arranged for two gentle therapy ponies to visit Barbara in the comfort of her own room. As Barbara has mobility needs, ensuring she could enjoy the experience safely and comfortably was our priority. The visit was kept as a surprise until shortly before the day, when David helped her open a special invitation revealing her Golden Wish.

When the ponies arrived, it was an emotional and truly touching moment. Joined by her son, Barbara was visibly moved as she stroked the ponies and reminisced about her younger years.

“It brought back such happy memories,” Barbara said with a smile, adding, “I’ve always loved animals more than people!”

Jenny Forrest, Wellbeing Coordinator at Croston Park, said:
“Barbara spoke so fondly about her love of horses. From that moment, we knew we wanted to make her wish a reality. Seeing her reaction on the day made all the planning worthwhile. These are the moments that really matter.”

Our Golden Wishes campaign runs across Park Lane Healthcare Group and is designed to uncover the dreams and personal wishes that mean the most to our residents. Whether big or small, we believe in creating opportunities for joy, connection and lasting memories.

At Croston Park, person-centred care isn’t just something we say — it’s something we live every day.