A Co Down man who runs a farm specialising in donkey-assisted therapy has told of the “powerful impact” the animals can have on mental and emotional wellbeing.
Equine facilitator Robert Wallace runs Kinedale Donkeys in Ballynahinch, a farm which offers unique hands-on animal interactions aimed at promoting wellness.
Robert explains that he and his family have always been donkey lovers, dating back to when his grandfather used a donkey and cart to get about instead of a wheelchair in his later years.
“We’ve always been big animal lovers in general,” he says, while giving the farm’s springer spaniel and resident greeter, Cuán, a scratch behind the ears.
Robert explains that he and his family have always been donkey lovers PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
“It comes from my mum’s side, her family had a farm with donkeys — and when my grandad lost his legs, he used to drive Mickey Finn the donkey around so he could still do farm work.
“Then when my mum met my dad and moved to Ballynahinch they still had donkeys, even though it was a dairy farm back then.
“I got my first donkey when I was year old and then when I was six, I got Denis who kind of started the complete obsession with them.
“But it wasn’t really until lockdown that I started to fully appreciate how lucky I am to live here with the donkeys I’ve had since I was a child — especially as we were looking at potentially selling some of them.”
The fear of losing some of his donkeys, combined with his desire to prove that “they still have a purpose today’s society”, inspired 35-year-old Robert to open the farm to the public in 2020.
“When it comes to donkeys people have this preconceived notion that they all bite, kick and that they’re stubborn,” he says.
“But they have been so integral to human history for the last 7,000 years since they were domesticated.
Kinedale, which is now home to 26 donkeys, specialises in anxiety treatment working alongside mental health practitioners PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
“They’ve moved from northern Africa to ancient Greece to the ancient Romans, then the Roman Empire brought them worldwide, they hit Britain around 43AD, but they didn’t come to this island until the 1500s.
“But in that very short space of time they made such an impact in terms of helping people and now, 500 years later, everyone knows what a donkey is, but they don’t think they have anything to offer.
“And I just think it’s really sad that we keep seeing more of them with no purpose and no drive and they live far too long to be ignored.”
Kinedale, which is now home to 26 donkeys, specialises in anxiety treatment, working alongside mental health practitioners to make difficult topics surrounding mental health, self-care and emotions easier to handle, particularly among children and teenagers.
“During Covid, which was a really stressful and anxious time, the donkeys were always my solace,” Robert recalls. “I thought it was something worth sharing with other people.
“When we originally opened, we offered scheduled cuddle sessions and donkey treks for people just to come and spend time with them.
“The therapeutic side of it didn’t really come into play until I was contacted by a child psychologist.
“They were working very hard during Covid to keep up with the number of young kids struggling with the idea of going back into school.
Robert Wallace takes his donkeys into schools, care homes and hospitals PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
“She asked if my donkeys would be able to come out to a school and help children with things like emotional regulation and self-care techniques.
“We did our first project with a school in Drumaness and the feedback was phenomenal – the kids got so much out of it and I think the donkeys did too.”
Since then, Robert has secured contracts with both the NHS and Education Authority to use his donkeys for therapeutic work, taking them into schools, care homes and hospitals.
He believes a big part of their universal appeal is down to the fact “there’s absolutely no judgment”.
“Working with animals is scientifically proven to release serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine – all those feel-good hormones – but also there’s no judgment with animals, especially the donkeys,” he says.
“They have nothing but kindness for people and I think because of that it’s sometimes easier to speak to them than trying to speak to another person. We might give you an opinion or say something back whereas the donkeys just listen.
Robert believes a big part of the donkey’s universal appeal is down to the fact ‘there’s absolutely no judgment’ PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
“And the big ears help with that.”
In addition to their wellbeing work the donkeys are also involved in Kinedale’s own speed dating event, Donkey Date Night.
“I realised that adults, no matter how old they get, still want to cuddle animals and play on a farm – I think that’s a little idea and dream we all have sometimes,” explains Robert.
“I wanted to do something that catered to that, so I decided to set up a wholesome evening called Donkey Date Nights.”
As the name suggests, visitors (either in groups or couples) get to ‘speed date’ the donkeys, spending two minutes with each fuzzy suitor, feeding them carrots while listening to Robert explain each of their back stories.
“It’s really just to give people a bit of an insight into their various personalities and it really worked, people loved it,” he says.
“I just think it’s a lovely way of bringing people together.”
Robert with some of his happy donkeys PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
Practising what he preaches the donkeys even played a key role during Robert’s wedding in 2023.
Working with animals is scientifically proven to release feel-good hormones – but also there’s no judgment with animals, especially the donkeys. They have nothing but kindness for people. We might give you an opinion or say something back whereas the donkeys just listen…
— Robert Wallace
Rescue donkey ‘Big Meg’ pulled the carriage while miniature donkey Turlough distributed the floral petals to well-wishers and Denis, who has been at Robert’s side since he was six, delivered the rings.
“My wife jokes that it was only for content,” he laughs.
“It was very relaxed, we just wanted people to come and have funm and what was really nice was that if it was getting overwhelming at any point we could just step away and chat to the donkeys for a bit and come back in feeling refreshed.
“But even before we started properly planning the wedding we knew the donkeys would be there because they’re part of the family.”
Minature donkey Turlough at Robert’s wedding in 2023
However, despite the evident success of Kinedale, Robert admits running the business does have difficulties.
“Working with animals always comes with challenges, but the big thing for me is the stress of disease, sickness, illness and getting themselves hurt.
“Animals, particularly large livestock, are always going round getting themselves hurt whether they get their foot caught in a hole or getting their head stuck through a gate, or they could just trip or sleep wrong – just like ourselves – but with their added weight they’re so much more at risk.
“It’s just about trying to think from their point of view and being mindful.”
Equine facilitator Robert Wallace with some of his long-eared friends PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
He also expresses concern over the fact animal therapy currently isn’t licensed and therefore not widely regulated.
“I’m seeing a lot of people buying donkeys and offering animal therapy after completing a certificate that takes a week to do online,” Robert explains.
“That puts people at risk because how well do they know those donkeys? I’ve known mine their entire life, I can read them and understand them, I’ve done a degree in equine management.
“So, I feel like I am qualified to ‘talk donkey’ and understand that side of it but I don’t do therapy, I’m an equine facilitator – I provide the animal and work with a therapist, psychiatrist or counsellor.
“I think that’s the perfect bridge and I think people who buy two donkeys and do a crash course in animal therapy are dangerous.
“I just want to see it done properly because my big fear is there’ll be a big fall out and there will just be a big ban on animal therapy and that’s the donkeys out of a job.”
But not letting these fears discourage him, Robert says he would love to do more therapeutic work and build on the business’s solid foundations.
“I can’t believe on the August 3 it’ll be five years since we opened.
Robert says he would love to do more therapeutic work and build on the business’s solid foundations PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
“I get a bit emotional when I think about where we were at five years ago at this time of year with the fear of Covid and the sudden fear of losing the donkeys.
“Now we have more donkeys than ever, more goats and I’m getting to do wonderful things, the opportunities have been crazy.
“We’re heading to Scotland in July for a wedding, we’re going to Tipperary in September with them, we’re doing film work, we’re getting interviews – it’s mad.
“It’s just amazing to see that the humble donkey, who gets left behind is now at the head of everything and is involved in every industry I can get them in to.”
kinedaledonkeys.co.uk