Three-year-old Ocean has developed a real passion for donkeys. Find out how donkeys are helping this young boy to thrive.

Ocean is a regular visitor to our Donkey-Assisted Programme at our Ivybridge sanctuary and even has his own ‘donkey den’ in the bottom of his garden at home, complete with a thatched roof and walls covered in pictures of his favourite donkey, Pooh.

The donkeys have been a big help to Ocean, who was diagnosed with Down's syndrome at 13 months old, which affects his speech, balance, posture and interaction with people.

“He has come on in leaps and bounds in the last year," says Ocean's mum Deborah. "He has learnt how to be gentle and to stroke the donkeys, which is a real sensory experience for him. He just loves coming to see the donkeys."