The donkeys we use are carefully chosen for their calm and patient temperament and impeccable behaviour. They must genuinely enjoy human interaction.
In addition to these basic characteristics, we maintain a high level of training, making full use of the facilities we have here at The Donkey Sanctuary (for example steps, offices, visitors, etc to ensure that our donkeys are comfortable with any eventuality they are likely to meet during their work). The safety of both those we visit and our donkeys are of paramount importance and never is a donkey subjected to go or behave in any situation that may cause it to be nervous or stressed.
Abbie was born in 1990 and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since 2008. She is a very girly donkey who has her own pink head collar and loves cuddles and kisses.
Abbie came over from our Irish sanctuary with her foal at foot and before this belonged to two young girls who use to ride her but then outgrow her. Her best friends in the education and activities donkeys are Tierra and Dixie.
Barney was born in 2000 and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since 2008. He is a very cheeky chap who likes to be nosey and be the star of the show.
Barney is used for most events but he just loves being with the scouts and playing football. He came into the Sanctary locally and used to show when he was younger. Barney is friends with everybody in the team and never likes to be left out!
Bramble was born in 2002 and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since January 2011.
He is very enthusiastic about working with people and always wants to be picked out for cuddles and kisses.
Connor was born in 1987 and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since 2008. He came into the Sanctuary from Ireland with Daragh.
Since Connor has been a part of the team he has become a firm favourite of the staff with his cheeky ways. He likes to play in the field with all the other donkeys, especially Groucho.
Daragh came into the Sanctuary from Ireland with Connor and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since 2008. He was born in 1989 and 's a very laid back donkey who gets along with almost anyone.
You can always tell which donkey is Daragh by his ears - they flop to the side like an aeroplane's wings!
Dennis was born in 1995 and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since 2008. He is known as 'Dennis the menace' as he's always up to mischief! He's a very sociable donkey and gets on very well with all the other donkeys and children who visit.
Dennis is a well known celebrity in the donkey world having appeared on various TV programmes, including his role with children’s presenters Dick and Dom.
Dixie was born in 1982 and has been a member of the Education and Activities team since 2008. Dixie came into the Sanctuary in 2002 from Scotland.
He loves his food and we sometimes find him on the wrong side of the fence grazing on extra grass! He is a big softy and loves playing with the other donkeys.
Dixie is semi-retired as he's been part of the team for a number of years and has been one of the best when it comes to working with children.
Some of you may remember Heidi as she was born in 2005 at the Sanctuary after her her mother, called Silver, came into the Sanctuary in foal. She is now part of our Education and Activities team.
Heidi is a white donkey that is nearly always brown and covered in mud! She has a lovely personality and has a strong friendship with Sebastian. She’s the youngest in the group but yet one of the biggest and bossiest.
Jasper was born in 2002 and has been working with the Education and Activities team since January 2011.
Jasper is very closely bonded with Bramble and sometimes will be seen holding onto Bramble's neck for comfort and reassurance, which causes no pain to Bramble.
Joseph was born in 1984 and has been part of the Education and Activities team since 2005. He came into the Sanctuary with another donkey as they kept escaping from their field.
He is the smallest of all the donkeys in this group yet he is one of the strongest characters. He is definitely the boss of everyone including the staff!
Joseph has to be kept in a separate part of the barn as he is on a special diet because he doesn't have very good teeth and therefore cannot eat the usual diet.
Mopsy was born in 1999 and has been part of the Education and Activities team since 2010.
She is a very sweet and loving donkey but can sometimes be a bit shy. Since Mopsy has been with us she has developed a friendship with Joseph and seems to be very happy.
Sebastian was born in 1989 and has been with the Education and activities team since 2008. Sebastian is friends with Heidi and hates being apart from her!
He is a very sensitive donkey but is great with the children and very loving. Sebastian came into the Sanctuary with four other donkeys when he was just 4 years old. Before becoming part of the team Sebastian worked at our sister charity, Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST), at their centre in Birmingham.
Shirgar was born in 1980 and has been part of the Education and Activities team since 2007having come into the Sanctuary with three other donkeys.
Shirgar is a celebrity at the Sanctuary and is well known by most of the staff! He is the oldest and wisest of the group and these days only takes part in special occasions! Shirgar has been to weddings and every year visits Exeter Cathedral for Palm Sunday.
Tierra was born in 1993 and has been part of the Education and Activities team since 2007.
Tierra is an Andalucian donkey from Spain where she worked on a farm. She then came to England with her owner and arrived at the Sanctuary in 2003. Tierra is a lovely donkey who adores cuddles but can get bossy when there is food involved! She is a very popular donkey who gets followed around by the rest of the group.
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