Riding therapy training starts for donkeys

Thanks to help from the UK based Elisabeth Svendsen Trust, four of our rescued donkeys Tudor, Costel, Ringo and Gina are receiving the 1st phase of their donkey therapy training. Trainers Robina (Manchester) and Lauriel (Sidmouth), came to Italy In January to train the staff here so that we could start out therapy work. Tudor and Costel both arrived in February 2008 from Romania. they were found abandoned together during the winter by our partners of Save the Dogs.

Costel is 5 years old. He is a very friendly donkey, who loves to be cuddle and hugged. He prefers to run and play with his young friend of his group rather than take part in the training process, but step by step he is learning the skills he will need.

Tudor is 15 years old, quite short with a long soft coat. He is the most calm donkey we have, the only time we saw him trotting was when we cut his coat for the first time during last summer. And he trotted for 2 weeks!! He is always well behaved with the farrier or the vet and he loves to be groomed …in fact he copes with just about everything. his training is going well and he is PERFECT.

Ringo is a 7 year old donkey and he was rescued from a livestock transport in Switzerland. He is learning quickly and seems to appreciate lessons. Today he discovered the pleasure of a walk through the park and really enjoyed it!

Gina was saved from her ex owner who mistreated her. she is 7 years old and was rescued in Romania thanks to the collaboration with Save the Dogs and other animas. Gina is a lovely donkey, who has been terribly treated in the past.

All the riding therapy donkeys will continue to receive this special training until we are sure they are able to work alongside children with special needs, then we can start to help the magic of donkeys therapy benefit those who most need it.