Our gentle, friendly donkeys travel throughout the UK to interact with children and adults with disabilities & special needs and visit people in hospitals, schools, hospices and care homes. Just stroking these gentle animals is proven to have a calming effect on people. Our donkeys are trained to go into wards and bedrooms so bedridden people can meet, stroke and feed them and they rarely fail to
raise a smile. The donkeys are used to wheelchairs and are happy to walk alongside them slowly, giving wheelchair-bound people the freedom to take them for a walk. Children under eight stone are able to ride the donkeys, no matter how profound their disability. The donkeys are used to walking slowly with a team of people around them caring for the rider, either inside or outdoors. The physical benefits of riding are huge, including improvement of core strength, balance and mobility. It also gives a sense of independence and accomplishment. For more able people, we can set up exercises to do, from posting letters to weaving through cones. All of our staff are patient, kind, & CRB checked. They are managed by Kelly Baker, who is trained in the use of Makaton and working with those with ASD, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia and challenging behaviour. She also has extensive experience with riders with Cerebral Palsy, mental health issues, Cystic Fibrosis, brain injuries and Learning Disabilities. Testimonials
Our 'Donkey Therapy Day' was a truly multi-sensory experience for our children, who all have severe visual impairments along with both learning and physical disabilities. The moment the donkeys arrived there was an explosion of sensory stimuli - amazing smells, bells which jingled and the tactile experience. The donkeys were incredibly tolerant and took it all in their stride. Some children were able to have a ride and the smiles of everyone were evidence of a wonderful donkey day! Mr J.P. Byrne OBE, Headmaster, Royal School For The Blind
Thank you so much for bringing the donkeys to school. They were total stars - and so popular that the children are still talking about them three weeks later. We would love to have you back again! Chesnut Lodge Special School, Widnes
It was lovely to meet Dermot and Danny, two wonderfully gentle creatures who were an instant success! They were so well looked after and well-behaved and our residents loved them. Danny went into nearly every bedroom so no one was left out. Olivet Care Home, Birmingham
We are fully licenced, insured and Donkey Sanctuary approved. Distance is no object for us; our donkeys happily travel all over the country and love the attention they receive.
