With their amazing Gift of a Day program, Crossroads Hospice granted a patient under their care’s wish. The 95-year-old patient Marion Roberts only has one dream: to visit the Budweiser Clydesdales at their Warm Springs Ranch stable and “rub noses with them.” Roberts, who received her first pony when she was seven, is an equestrian herself. She performed trick riding for rodeos when she was a teen. As part of their Gift of a Day Program, Crossroad Hospice was aware that they had to fulfill her dying wish.
We’ve had the Gift of a Day program running for more than ten years, Mary Krause, a Crossroads spokesperson, told iHeartHorses.We attempt to give everyone of our patients one ideal day, which was inspired by Jim Stovall’s book The Ultimate Gift. From special family meals to musical performances to fishing outings, everything is as distinctive as our patients.
The main farm where the renowned Budweiser Clydesdales are born, raised, and prepared for their roles as mascots for the beverage corporation is called Warm Springs Ranch, and it is situated in Boonville, Missouri. At the moment, they are taking care of more than 70 horses.
The ranch is open for public tours, but it is not usually open this early in the year. For Roberts’ visit, the business graciously made an exception, allowing her a once-in-a-lifetime private tour of the farm and plenty of time to pet and kiss the gorgeous horses.
Crossroads Hospice works very hard to fulfill every wish they receive, but they couldn’t accomplish it without the assistance of the businesses that are occasionally engaged, like Anheuser-Busch.
Some of them don’t need a lot of donations, according to Krause. “For others, we have been extremely fortunate to have kind businesses and people volunteer their time, talents, and facilities for our patients,” the statement reads.
Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Kansas are among the states where Crossroads maintains centers.