R.G. Wellness and Care donates to local hospice following Hearts and Hooves fundraiser

By: Kathleen Smith

R.G. Wellness and Care was born from both love and loss.

Named after Pam Siddall’s father, Randy Geoffrey, who struggled with depression and died by suicide in 2024, R.G. Wellness and Care provides compassionate, client-centred support including respite, PSW services, wellness check-ins, and equine companionship.

R.G. Wellness and Care offer complimentary visits to hospices and long-term care homes. Horses have an incredible ability to feel emotions and seem to sense sadness, loneliness, anxiety and even when someone just needs companionship.

Horses played a huge role in helping Siddall navigate her own grief, and she soon realised she wanted to create a safe space where others could experience that same healing.

“My goal is to support people of all ages who are facing anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness, or life challenges through meaningful connections with horses, while also providing respite and wellness services to families in our community,” said Siddall.

In June, R.G. Wellness and Care held its first Hearts and Hooves fundraising event through a hospice trail ride and games.

REACH Centre donated its facility for this meaningful event.

Together, R.G. Wellness and Care and its sponsors and donors came together to support two organisations that provide compassionate care – Huron Hospice and Jessica’s House.

This event was about more than horses – it was about hope, compassion and people coming together to make a difference.

Hearts and Hooves at REACH in Clinton on June 28 took participants on a horse ride through a trail, and barrel racing and pole events at the facility later.

Pam Siddall of R.G. Wellness and Care hosted this event in support of Huron Hospice and Jessica’s House Hospice.

Mental health, grief, hospice care and community support have all touched Siddall’s family life in different ways.

She wanted to combine her passion for horses with giving back.

Hearts and Hooves wasn’t just about raising money, but about bringing people together, celebrating the horse community, and supporting organisations that care for families during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

“Jessica’s House Hospice and Huron Hospice are both incredibly close to my heart,” Siddall explained.

“They are our local community hospices, and they have cared for people I have loved during some of their final days. I’ll never forget the compassion, dignity, and support they provided, not just to my loved ones, but to our entire family.”

This cause is also personal to Siddall as her partner is a nurse at Huron Hospice.

As a result of the overwhelming generosity at the Hearts and Hooves event by the riders, sponsors, volunteers, and donors, each hospice will receive just over $3,000.

“I couldn’t be more grateful that our community came together to make that possible, and I hope these funds help both hospices continue providing the exceptional care and comfort they are known for,” said Siddall.

Rooted in empathy and personal experience, staff at R.G. Wellness and Care promotes healing, connection, and whole-person well-being.

Research has shown that horses can remember people for many years, and they recognise familiar faces, voices and even past experiences.

Every interaction becomes part of the relationship.

Participants with equine sessions learn confidence, communication, patience and self-awareness, and the horses follow when they feel safe and trust the person beside them.

This is why equine companionship is so powerful.

Siddall has been around horses for over 20 years, and they’ve taught her more than she could ever teach them.

“Horses are incredibly powerful animals, but they’re also incredibly sensitive,” explained Siddall.

“They don’t judge, they don’t care what you’ve been through, and they respond honestly to your emotions.”

For those who are nervous around horses, Siddall understands. Each session starts slowly, with safety as the top priority.

Most of the work happens on the ground – grooming, learning horse behaviour, building trust, and simply spending time together.

According to Siddall, by the end of the session, it’s amazing to see fear replaced with confidence and respect.

Many people find it easier to connect with a horse than to sit across from someone and talk. Horses offer companionship without expectation.

Horses help people build confidence, regulate emotions, develop trust, and simply feel seen.

Sometimes healing begins with silence, and horses are incredibly good at meeting people where they are.

Siddall explains that she’s seen children who were too anxious to speak, begin smiling and engaging. She’s watched people who lacked confidence learn to lead a horse with pride, and seniors who were struggling with loneliness find joy simply grooming and spending time with the horses.

“Participants often leave calmer, more confident, and more connected than when they arrived,” said Siddall.

Families notice improvements in communication, emotional regulation and self-esteem.

“Every journey is different, but one thing remains the same – the horses have an incredible ability to help people feel safe, accepted, and hopeful,” Siddall added.

For more information, follow R.G. Wellness and Care online or Facebook.