Blue Cross Shetland ponies join celebrations at Guy’s Hospital Cancer Survivors’ Day

Blue Cross Shetland ponies join celebrations at Guy’s Hospital Cancer Survivors’ Day

Two Blue Cross Shetland ponies, who are now working as therapy animals, trotted their way into Guy’s Cancer Centre on 25 June 2017 to help celebrate Cancer Survivors’ Day, an annual event run by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. 

two ponies stand on a pavement in a town centre

The ponies are currently on loan from the national pet charity to Equilibrium for Life, an organisation that uses horses and ponies for therapy and equine assisted learning. 
The equines Dame Maggie and Princess Rose, who are a mother and daughter pair, are on loan from the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Burford, Oxfordshire.. They were handed over to the centre after their original owner could no longer look after them. 

Alexandra Taskin, owner of Equilibrium and the ponies, is hoping to adopt the pair permanently. 

Alexandra said: “We brought the ponies home from Blue Cross Burford early in 2016 and since then they have been absolute superstars. They are amazing – absorbing the emotion from people with a variety of needs and providing a calmness and gentle sense of just being in the moment. They really are very special.”

The ponies regularly visit hospices, care homes and autistic play schemes.

a pony surrounded by people
Ponies Dame Maggie and Princess Rose with the Mayor of Southwark

Ruth Court, Horse Welfare Manager, Blue Cross, said: “Horses and ponies are great as therapy animals as their calming nature and demeanour bounces off onto the people around them. Maggie and Rose are two wonderful ponies – when they were in our care everyone fell in love with them. We’re thrilled that they’re doing so well.”

The event at Guy’s Cancer Centre is a special annual event for the hospital patients, their families, care givers, staff and the community to celebrate cancer survivorship. As well as guests being able to meet the ponies, the day included a fashion show, health and well-being activities, live music, exhibits, seminars, reflection and contemplation.

For more information on Blue Cross, to adopt, or to give back to pets, please visit https://www.bluecross.org.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors

  • Images are available, please contact the press office.
  • Sick, injured and homeless pets have relied on Blue Cross since 1897. Abandoned or unwanted, ill or injured, pets turn to us for help every year. Our doors are always open to them, and with your support, they always will be.
  • Each year, thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses turn to our animal hospitals, clinics and rehoming services for treatment and to find them the happy homes they deserve.
  • For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk. 
  • Pets change lives. We change theirs.

About Guy’s and St Thomas’

Guy's and St Thomas' provides more than 2.3 million patient contacts in acute and specialist hospital services and community services every year. As one of the biggest NHS trusts in the UK, with an annual turnover of more than £1.3 billion, we employ around 15,000 staff. www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), collaboration between King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts. www.kingshealthpartners.org

To support or donate to Guy’s and St Thomas’ visit www.supportgstt.org.uk or text ‘Support’ to 70800 to donate £5

Media contact

Media Team, 0300 777 1950 / [email protected]

— Page last updated 04/01/2022