Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Marilyn Moore, Activities Support Co-Ordinator at The Check House, Seaton says that "the service is absolutely wonderful; the residents love the visits and really look forward to seeing the donkeys and their two-legged helpers. The visits are very therapeutic for those with little sight; just the feel of the donkeys can help to lightnen their lives. We have one resident who has had a stroke and is paralysed down one side of her body; she is quite poorly and cannot speak but when the donkeys arrive her face ligths up - it really is a heart-warming sight".

Marilyn adds that the residents talk about the visits for days afterwards and the staff are able to incorporate the visits into other aspects of life at the home such as encouraging the residents to draw or paint the donkeys in their art classes.

It is amazing to watch the donkeys interact with the residents and it is astounding how many of them have stories of donkeys from some time during their lives. Many recall when donkeys were used on farmland when they were children, or memories of a long ago holiday to the seaside are brought to mind as if they happened only yesterday.