Peyo and "Les sabots du cœur" association in the health area
Hassen Bouchakour, the president of the "Les sabots du cœur" association and his stallion Peyo identify and help people who are terminally ill and nearing the end of their lives. Some 150 researchers oversee and monitor their activity in hospitals. They notably study the effect the couple have on reducing intensive treatments among the patients they work with. Peyo and Hassen will be present in Health Area at Equita Lyon - the equestrian show - from 30 October to 3 November.
The approach involving "Les sabots du cœur" association is part of a scientific study. Peyo is a horse with exceptional cognitive abilities, which allow him to detect cancers, tumours and end-of-life cases. For the past six years, Peyo and his owner, Hassen Bouchakour (the president of the association) have been carrying out their study in five hosiptals in France. Together, they work with between fifteen and twenty patients every month, including at least five children. Peyo is free to move around the hospitals (the study concerns the paediatric oncology and palliative care departments in five French hospitals) and is able to identify patients who are arriving at the end of their lives. The animal helps inject life into these final stages. Once the patients have been "chosen" by the horse, Hassen takes over and works to help the patient accept the situation, so that it is easier to "let go". The patients are then accompanied by Peyo and Hassen until they die. The researchers are essentially studying the effects the horse has on the patients it has identified, particularly in terms of reducing intensive drug treatment.
At Equita Lyon, the "Les sabots du cœur" association will be selling the horse-care products made available by its partners, as well as derivative products. All the proceeds will go towards financing to Peyo's travel, as well as the funerals of some socially and financially vulnerable patients. We look forward to seeing you in the Health Area.