Leicester: Miniature goats comfort terminally ill man at hospice

Greg Stevens-Kelsey was able to have a cuddle with the goats

A terminally ill man being cared for in a Leicester hospice has been comforted by two miniature goats.

Greg Stevens-Kelsey was visited by Posie and Willow at the Loros hospice on Saturday.

Mr Stevens-Kelsey has an incurable brain tumour and requested a visit from the therapy animals.

The 53-year-old, from Hinckley, in Leicestershire, described the goats as "beautiful" and he has now requested they attend his funeral.

He was joined by members of his family as he enjoyed a cuddle with the pair of goats.

"I feel brilliant," Mr Steven's-Kelsey said.

"I couldn't ask for anything better than what I've already got. It's been perfect.

"I don't know why we like the goats, we just like goats."

Willow and Posie visiting LOROS on Saturday

His family said that when he found out the goats would be visiting, he cried, adding that he had "taken a shine" to the two animals.

Sara Hibberd runs the Broughton Astley-based Alfie the Therapy Horse, a service which provides therapy animals, and arranged for Mr Stevens-Kelsey's wish to meet the goats to be fulfilled.

"[Greg's] wish is to have goats at his funeral which is quite unusual," she said.

"We've got two miniature goats so we can actually bring them to him to have a cuddle.

"We have a lot of animals, including miniature horses, a donkey and giant rabbits, and they all work for therapy. We work with care homes, hospitals and schools.

"It's amazing and it's priceless."

Mr Stevens-Kelsey was joined by his wife and two daughters for the visit