Horse rescue owner brings ‘bittersweet joy’ to local hospice

Huronia Tomkins House Hospice’s first visit to the therapy horse provided a moment of joy for people dealing with grief.

Last week, Tay Township’s Chasing Butterflies Equine Rescue brought a horse, pony and therapy dog ​​to visit members of the Children’s Grief Program, a support group for families who have lost a loved one.

Children ran out the back parking lot door, their parents in tow, to hug, pet, look at and feed the animals brought in by Vicki Leppard-Conant, owner of the rescue and Topline Feed and Farm Supply. Her husband Rob Conant, her daughters and a friend also came.

Children and adults chatted loudly and engaged with the animals as the equine team held the horses.

“The kids didn’t know they were coming, which is great,” said Sarah Schell, registered social worker and community program leader for Hospice Huronia.

“We think it’s great because of how therapeutic animals can be, but especially horses. They are very harmonious animals. They can feel the feelings and provide that emotional support without saying anything,” says Schell.

But the residents and families in the support program aren’t the only ones dealing with a dire situation and needing some bittersweet cheer.

Vicki has a rare genetic disorder, alpha-1 antitrypsan (AAT) deficiency, where her body attacks her lungs. She received help from Hospice Huronia workers.

“They are wonderful people,” says Vicki. “They came home and helped them with the kids and had conversations about death and dying.”

Despite her condition, Vicki still wants to give back to the community, so she approached Hospice Simcoe with the idea of ​​bringing her horses there.

“I like that they are behind me for my care, but I would like to support people who are at home at the moment. It’s difficult to get around and do the things I used to do, but it’s so important to me to have this. my horses there to help the kids and whoever is there,” she said.

“The end of life is a difficult subject and I hope that maybe with the children, the horses can help the residents who are there a little bit as well.”

After the visit, Vicki posted this on the Chasing Butterflies Equine Rescue Facebook page: “As my health declines faster than I care to admit, this amazing home and the supportive people that come with it have helped me through so much . I wanted to give back to them and the only way I knew how was to bring some horses for an event they had and also meet some of their patients.

Schell says Vicki has been rescuing injured or unwanted horses for years and also helps people by allowing them to come to her farm unofficially for equine therapy.

“She’s an empath. She gives back. She can’t help it,” Schell says.

On her 50-acre farm, Vicki has 12 rescue horses plus five friends’ horses. Every horse that comes to their final home has a story.

Miss Karma was her first rescue horse. He is a big horse with previous injuries.

“She’s not ridden and that’s okay. He’s living his life,” says Vicki.

Big Mike is a Belgian who worked on a Mennonite farm. When he became too old to continue pulling a plow, Vicki stepped in and brought him to her farm.

“I can put children on it. It’s absolutely amazing,” says Vicki.

But, not all the horses that came his way lived a long life. A few were humanely euthanized. Miss Rose was emaciated when she came to the farm. Vicki regained her weight within a year, but was still sick and had to be euthanized.

Despite the sadness that comes with a death, there are many rewards.

“When they come here, they are a bit stressed – in a new environment, new people, new horses and they have just been dropped. When they start to relax and trust you, it’s amazing to see,” she says. .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she invited the nurses to come and enjoy the horses at the farm. In addition, people randomly stop by her farm or call and ask if they can come spend time with the horses.

“A woman called me and said, ‘My mom is battling cancer, can we come see these horses?’ I went through cancer two years ago and so I always say “Yes”.

Due to her health issues, Vicki no longer takes horses. Her husband and three daughters at home and friends help her with farm chores.