There’s something truly healing in the bond between people and animals. They can bring light into the darkest corners of our hearts.
For one woman in Colorado, the visit of a beloved horse in her final days brought an unforgettable moment, one that touched her heart in a way nothing else could.
Seventy-eight-year-old Jackie Stalter was battling both multiple myeloma and kidney failure. As her days in hospice became fewer, her daughter Jaime wanted to do something that would brighten her final moments.
Horses had always been Jackie’s passion, her lifelong companions since she first sat on one at three years old.
They’ve had a special place in her heart, as she shared in a YouTube video:
“Horses are very much like people… they love the way people love, they care the way people care.”
Over the years, horses have helped Jackie navigate countless hardships. When her world felt heavy, she’d always find peace with them.
Jaime knew how much her mother had leaned on these majestic animals during the most difficult times, sharing:
“They helped my mom through a lot of things, a lot of deaths in our family and things like that. They were always my mom’s go-to to feel better.”
That’s why Jaime had one powerful wish: to bring that joy back to her mom, even just for a little while.
She had been tirelessly trying to make a dream come true for Jackie since the start of her illness – to see a horse one last time. It wasn’t easy, but she never gave up.
Finally, after months of effort, a local nonprofit called Praying Hands Ranch stepped in, offering a beautiful gift.
This compassionate team wanted to give Jackie the opportunity to meet a gentle Mustang named Salida.
Jaime was moved by the kind gesture, knowing that her mother’s happiness was shared by others who truly cared, as she shared:
“It just really shows my family that there are kind people out there that care for more than just themselves and like to see other people happy.”
When the horse arrived at the hospice, Jackie’s face lit up with pure joy. There was something magical in that quiet moment as the two connected.
Jackie’s eyes softened, and her voice trembled with affection as she greeted Salida:
“Oh, baby… hi pretty! Good girl… If I could, I’d get on him, I’d get on him, and I’d go.”
Jaime stood nearby, overcome with emotion. Knowing this might be the last time her mother would ever see a horse, this meant the world to her.
The sight of her mom taking a stroll with Salida was everything Jaime had hoped for, as she shared:
“For my mom, this is probably the last time she’ll get to see a horse. And that’s really special that we were able to share that with her.”
It wasn’t just about the horse. It was about love, connection, and how deeply animals can touch our lives.
What a touching gift that was for Jackie. It was a final, beautiful chapter in her lifelong love story with horses.
Meeting this horse brought her so much joy, and you could see how much it meant to her. She shared:
“I’m excited to see any horse. Any time I can touch a horse is a gift.”
Being near a horse was all Jackie needed to find peace. It makes you realize that often, it’s the little things – like the presence of a beloved animal – that truly fill our hearts.