Written by Samantha Fridley
Marketing and Digital Engagement Coordinator
August 10, 2026
Hospice of the Panhandle Helps Patient Return to the Races
Kearneysville, WV – At Hospice of the Panhandle, some of the most meaningful moments happen outside of a healthcare setting.
On Thursday, July 30, Hospice of the Panhandle’s Transportation Team, Victoria Hough and Ashley Rogers, helped make a special wish come true for Larry M. Myers, a former horse jockey and trainer, by taking him and his wife to the Charles Town Race Track to watch the races and reminisce about his time with horses.
During the evening, Larry shared his knowledge of horses and horse racing with Victoria and Ashley, telling stories, answering questions, and bringing plenty of laughter to the evening.
“I’ve lived here my entire life, and somehow, that night was the FIRST time I had ever watched the horses race. And honestly? I think I had just as much fun as Larry did,” Hough said. “We listened to Larry share his knowledge about horses and horse racing. We laughed A LOT. He shared memories, taught us things, and may or may not have even taught us how to bet on the horses.”
For Ashley, the experience was a reminder that the Transportation Team’s role extends far beyond simply getting patients from one place to another.
“One of the greatest blessings of my job is being able to provide our patients with opportunities to make memories outside of the typical healthcare setting,” Rogers said. “Although it may have simply been a transportation trip on paper, it was so much more than that. Watching him and his wife smile, laugh, and truly soak in every moment of the evening was incredibly heartwarming.”
From left to right: Victoria Hough, Transport Coordinator; Larry M. Myers; Ashley Rogers, Transport Specialist; and wife Roseann.
The evening was especially meaningful as Larry reconnected with people from his past.
“What touched me most was seeing friends from his past come up to shake his hand, talk with him, and spend time reminiscing with both him and his wife,” Rogers said. “Those moments were priceless. You could see how much those connections meant to him, and how meaningful it was for his loved ones to see him enjoying an evening surrounded by familiar faces and memories.”
Hospice of the Panhandle’s Transportation Services allows patients and families of hospice remain connected to the people, places, and experiences in their lives. The team helps patients to and from our Inpatient Facility for appointments and participate in other meaningful activities outside of their normal routines and settings.
For Hough, experiences like the evening at the races are a reminder that hospice care is about more than the challenges that come with a life-limiting illness.
“People don’t always see the other side of hospice,” Hough said. “They don’t see the laughter. They don’t see the smiles. They don’t see the memories being made. They don’t see the moments of pure joy that can happen when someone is given the opportunity to do something they never thought they would get to do again,”
Hough said the opportunity to help patients continue experiencing the things they love is one of the most rewarding parts of hospice care.
“Because hospice isn’t just about dying. It’s about living,” she said. “We get to help people keep living their lives. We get to be there for the moments that might otherwise be impossible. We get to help create memories that families will carry with them long after their loved one is gone.”
Rogers echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of preserving dignity and honoring each patient’s wishes.
“It wasn’t a trip for me. It was their moment. But being given the opportunity to be a small part of it is something I will carry with me for a very long time,” Rogers stated. “Hospice care is so much more than end-of-life care. It’s about living. It is about preserving dignity, creating memories, honoring wishes, and making sure that our patients continue to experience the moments that matter most of them for as long as they can.”
For Larry and his wife, the evening at the Charles Town Race Track was an opportunity to make a new memory while reconnecting with an important part of his past. For Victoria and Ashley, it was an opportunity to witness the joy that can come from helping a patient experience something meaningful.
About Hospice of the Panhandle
Hospice of the Panhandle is a nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care services serving the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, including Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, and Hampshire counties. Through compassionate, patient-centered care, the organization supports individuals and families facing serious illness with medical, emotional, and spiritual care wherever they call home, including its Inpatient Facility in Kearneysville.