In a hospital in Calais, France, a 15-year-old stallion named Peyo moves softly from room to room, offering quiet companionship to patients in palliative care. Once a champion show horse, Peyo has found a new purpose—one that touches the soul and defies simple explanation.
Lovingly called Doctor Peyo, he isn’t like other therapy animals. With remarkable intuition, Peyo seems to sense exactly who needs him most. Without guidance, he stops outside certain rooms and gently lifts one leg—his silent signal to trainer Hassen Bouchakour that someone inside could use his comfort.
When welcomed in, Peyo stands calmly by the bedside. Patients and families reach for his mane, rest their hands on his back, or lean into his gentle presence. Sometimes, he remains for hours, offering a wordless kind of solace that goes beyond language.
Peyo’s extraordinary path began when Bouchakour noticed his deep, instinctive connection with people who were sick or distressed. What began as a surprising behavior grew into a calling: to bring peace to those nearing the end of life.
Since 2016, Peyo has become a beloved figure at Calais Hospital. Doctors, families, and patients speak of the calm he brings. Some even report needing less pain medication after his visits, a testament to the unique peace he offers simply by being there.
While science can’t fully explain how Peyo detects illness or emotional suffering, his effect is undeniable. In the quietest moments, this gentle stallion offers something beyond medicine: connection, comfort, and grace.