Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Why not adopt-a-donkey for that special someone for valentines day? Come along to the Ivybridge EST Centre and meet Snowy, Wayne, Pooh and Eeyore. They are very loving, and you can visit them for warm, fluffy cuddles!

Adopt a donkey at our Ivybridge centre before Valentines Day on 14th February, and you can take part in a free prize draw with a chance to win a donkey goody bag.

Please pop in to the centre or call 01752 690200 for more information.

Pooh was born in 2001, and was relinquished to our sister charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, with his friend Eeyore in 2006. Pooh is a very sweet but cheeky donkey. He is a big favourite with the children. He loves to play with the other donkeys while out in the yard.

When our newest donkeys, Pedro and Pancho, arrived at the centre, Pooh soon found that he and Pancho had a common interest. They both enjoy a game of "tug of war", using an old wellington boot! Pedro is quite happy to stand nearby and watch them - but not too close!

Whilst practising long-reigning in nearby Filham Park, we noticed that Eeyore was fascinated by the white lines marking out the rugby pitch. He was so intrigued, that he began to walk along the lines, refusing to go any other direction!

Wayne is a skewbald gelding, who was born in 1996. He was taken into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary, our sister charity, in 2004 with his donkey companion, Garth. Both donkeys had previously been bought by a very kind couple who had been concerned for their welfare.

Wayne goes out in the community as well as riding therapy for our centre. He mainly visits residential homes but he also visits schools and has also been to church!

When our donkeys visit new homes, we often take Wayne first as Snowy is still learning.

Both Wayne and Snowy behave well when travelling and enjoy the attention they get from the residents. They especially like the gardens of the homes as they can nibble the grass on the way out!

Wayne always seems to enjoy himself - and we have discovered why. Recently he was seen staring intently at a large plasma screen television in the lounge of one of the residential homes. He would obviously be a television addict if given the opportunity!

Snowy is a skewbald mare who was born in 1995 at East Axnoller Farm, a farm owned by The Donkey Sanctuary, our sister charity. Her birth was a great joy to everyone, as she was born very soon after her mother, Mary, had been relinquished to the Sanctuary. She is a very cheeky donkey, who likes making lots of noise and is much-loved by everyone.

She has only just started working out in the community and is doing very well. Her training involved leading her around the centre introducing her to new challenges, such as visiting the offices and staff room so she could feel comfortable in the surroundings.

The first time Snowy went out into the community, Wayne went with her. At the moment Snowy is only visiting residential homes while she learns to deal with walking up and down small steps and going into bedrooms.

One morning when the donkeys were being groomed in the yard, Snowy found herself standing next to Vicky, the groom. Obviously Snowy wanted to have a go at grooming, as she managed to take the brush from Vicky's hands by skilful use of her teeth!