WVU Collegiate Horsemen’s Association donates stuffed animals to children

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Kentucky Derby is coming up this weekend, and while it may not be nearby, that doesn’t mean WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital patients can’t celebrate.

On Tuesday, 35 stuffed animal horses were delivered to the hospital by the WVU Collegiate Horsemen’s Association with plans to give them out to children throughout the week.

“The healing process is more about—more than antibiotics and surgery. You know, it’s about making a child feel comfortable and kind of helping them heal from a comfort and happiness standpoint,” WVU Medicine Children’s Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Lancaster said.

The stuffed horses come from a purchase by the WVU equine group as part of its service project. This is the first time the group has been able to donate these plushies that organizations from across WVU helped stuff.

“They’re pre-made horses, and then we stuffed them and put little stars in them just for a little wish for the little kids,” WVU Equine Studies student Annie Dolan said.

For some WVU students, giving back to patients hits close to home.

“When I was little I was in the hospital a lot. Thankfully, I was young enough I don’t remember it, but if I was, I would’ve like really enjoyed doing something like this,” WVU Davis College student Liz Ruby said. She added that she loves to participate in anything horse-related, especially when it comes to helping others.

All the plushies come with their very own horse registration, just as they would in real life. Dr. Lancaster said these kinds of donations are always a welcomed gift for the children.

“All patients upstairs on our units who are, you know, either recovering from surgery or a medical stay, anybody who needs to hold anything soft, this would be perfect for them,” Lancaster said.

The equine group has made donations like this to patients and their families before. Last December, the group held an “Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition” in order to make a donation to the WVU Rosenbaum House in Morgantown.

The Rosenbaum House provides a place to stay for families visiting loved ones at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, and the group’s donation will pay the room balance for families in need during that week.

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