A day in the life at a Donkey Assisted Activities centre

Donkeys just know - their ability to pick up on the smallest shifts in body language and emotion is one of the reasons they are so special. Donkey Assisted Activities (DAA) are ground-based sessions that support the wellbeing and life skills of donkeys and humans, helping them to better deal with challenging and stressful situations in everyday life. ‘No two days are the same’ for Centre Support and Equine Assistant, Stephy Studley, but they all start the same way…

Morning: Donkeys first

“First job is checking the donkeys are fit and well, administering any treatments and then mucking out.” With just 21 donkeys in the DAA herd and all hands-on deck, it doesn’t take long until Stephy can begin prepping the upcoming sessions.

Tools are gathered, spaces set up and, of course, Stephy ensures “the right donkeys are in the right place.”

Session Time: Where the magic happens

With up to four sessions a day, five days a week, it’s a busy schedule, but the impact is worth every minute.

“As prey animals, donkeys are highly emotional and attentive, they can read subtle changes in behaviour and body language”, Stephy explains.

It’s this deep emotional awareness that Stephy treasures most. “You could be going through a difficult time and keep it quiet from your colleagues, but the donkeys will know,” she explains. Their natural sensitivity makes them perfect partners in DAA- making people feel seen and understood in a way words often can’t.

The DAA sessions are all about helping people and donkeys through time spent with each other, with different approaches depending on the group:

Donkey Facilitated Learning (DFL) – Coaching-based interactions in the presence of donkeys, guided by a qualified facilitator.

Donkey Management Programmes (DMP) – Hands-on, practical sessions where people learn about donkey care while developing key skills like teamwork, communication, and responsibility.

Wellbeing with Donkeys (WWD) – Slower, more reflective sessions that help people de-stress and reset. These take place in natural surroundings with a focus on promoting positive physical and mental health practices.

“After the one-hour session is over, it’s time for the forms- we monitor the equines welfare and clients through a session report”, explains Stephy, “to create a journey overview for the clients to take away, remember their time and highlight any key learnings”.

Happy land, happy donkeys

When we’re not running sessions, there’s still plenty to do. Grooming, training, enrichment activities—it’s all about keeping the donkeys happy, engaged, and comfortable around people.

Stephy adding enrichment and interest to a pallet for our DAA donkey herd.

With a background in conservation, Stephy is also able to bring nature into the mix, helping maintain the outdoor spaces used for mindful walks and natural enrichment. Think wildflower patches, hedgerows, tree planting, and even an edible garden packed with donkey-friendly treats like herbs, carrots, and strawberries.

Winding down: End-of day reflections

As the day winds down, the team completes final welfare checks and ensure all donkeys are settled for the night. With a three month waiting list for sessions, the demand is huge but so is the benefit - for donkeys and people.

“Supporting clients who are struggling can be challenging, but knowing that we’re making a difference—even if it’s just putting a smile on someone’s face for a brief moment—makes it all worthwhile,” Stephy reflects.

Whether it’s helping a child feel calmer and more focused for their exams, giving overwhelmed NHS staff a well-deserved moment of self-care, or seeing the donkeys thrive through these mutually beneficial interactions, Stephy finds even the most challenging days rewarding. Especially when it’s the donkeys themselves who make the biggest difference- they just know when someone needs them most.