Friendly donkeys bring the countryside to Kenwith Castle

Residents at Kenwith Castle care home were delighted to welcome two friendly donkeys for a heartwarming afternoon of animal therapy.

The residents at the home in Bideford, enjoyed meeting the gentle pair, who travelled with their keepers, Bart and Sue, from Highford Donkeys in Clovelly to visit residents in their bedrooms and the communal areas. The donkeys sparked conversations and happy memories, with many residents sharing stories of growing up around farm animals, caring for donkeys and horses, and life in the countryside.

This visit was particularly meaningful for one resident, Sharon, who had previously owned donkeys herself and has many treasured photographs and fond memories of her time with them. She smiled and shed a few tears of happiness as the four-legged friends trotted into her room to visit her.

Jo Passmore, Home Manager at Kenwith Castle, said:

“Our residents absolutely loved meeting the donkeys who were happy to stand for as long as the residents wanted while they gave them a fuss. It was so lovely to see the smiles on the residents’ faces as they shared memories of animals they had cared for over the years and enjoyed the comfort of spending time with such gentle companions. Experiences like this are so valuable because they bring people together, reduce feelings of loneliness and create moments of genuine happiness.”