Hospital grants veteran's dying wish to see his horses one last time

A Texas hospital has helped to grant a terminally ill patient’s dying wish.

Roberto Gonzalez from Premont, Texas was drafted into the US army in 1970 to serve in the Vietnam War.

Unfortunately, four months into his deployment Roberto was shot and his injuries left him paralysed. The one thing that kept Roberto going during that time was his love of horses.

After returning home from the war Roberto began work as a horse trainer, a passion he would maintain for the majority of his life.

“Horses are his life. We’ve been training and raising horses for over 30, 40 years,” his wife Rosario told KPNX.

“He loved horses, he loved cattle, he loved ranching and farming. He was proud to serve his country.”

With his organs beginning to fail him Roberto asked his wife could he see his beloved horses, Ringo and Sugar, one last time. Thankfully his hospital, the San Antonio VA Hospital, agreed and set him up outside as his horses were brought 150 miles to fulfil his wish last Saturday.

Roberto’s wife said the visit did him some good as doctors don’t believe he has long left to live.

“(The doctors) are not very optimistic. But we never give up hope," she said speaking to KSAT.

“We have faith, so we put everything in God's hands.”