At a psychiatric hospital near Paris, gentle therapy donkeys are helping patients ease anxiety and loneliness, offering a refreshing change from routine care and medication.
- Donkey therapy sessions held weekly in a hospital farm setting
- Patients report feeling calmer and more relaxed after visits
- Caregivers seek formal research to broaden program availability
What happened
At Ville-Evrard hospital complex in Neuilly-sur-Marne, France, patients with psychiatric disorders have found comfort through an innovative therapy program involving donkeys. Each Friday, they visit a woodland farm sanctuary where they can interact with the donkeys by grooming, riding in carts, or simply enjoying the animals’ gentle presence. This initiative, launched in 2016 by psychiatric nurse Ermelinda Hadey and her husband François, has since expanded to include other animals like goats, rabbits, and turtles.
Patients and staff alike have observed positive effects from these therapy sessions. Many patients describe the experience as a valuable break from the monotony of treatment routines, medication, and hospital stays. The program is provided free of charge, helping patients reconnect with nature and social activities that support their ongoing mental health care.
Why it feels good
Donkeys may be less celebrated than horses, but their calm temperament and long history of collaboration with humans make them excellent therapy animals. Their friendly and patient nature helps patients reduce stress and feel emotionally supported. Engaging with the donkeys physically and socially brings a soothing and grounding effect, which many patients express as relief from anxiety and loneliness.
The outings away from the hospital environment give patients the chance to engage with the world outside medicine and clinical settings. Nursing students and caregivers report that patients consistently return from the therapy sessions feeling calm, relaxed, and happier, pointing to the promise of animal-assisted therapies as an important complement to traditional psychiatric care.
What to enjoy or watch next
Inspired by the success of this therapy donkey program, the hospital and its founders hope to encourage scientific research that could standardize and expand such care models across France. As interest grows, similar animal therapy initiatives might become more widespread, helping more patients benefit from animal companionship in mental health treatment.
For those interested in this gentle form of therapy, following the evolution of animal-assisted programs featuring donkeys and other friendly creatures can offer hopeful insights into new ways communities support healing and wellness. Watching how these programs integrate with conventional therapies presents an exciting frontier in mental health care.