July 3, 2014

Therapy Donkey In-Training

I’m not actually sure if I have mentioned it on the blog yet, but there are several reasons why I wanted to get a miniature donkey: a loving pet, 4-H project, and therapy. What many people do not know is that miniature donkeys can be registered therapeutic animals. Like dogs, they can visit nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, etc. upon being certified. I’m planning on getting him certified through the Pet Partners program, and they have to be at least one year old in order to get the certification, so he still has another 7 months.
Right now I am just working on getting him exposed to everything: people petting him all over, people doing unusual things (ie: shrieking, waving arms around wildly, falling down) around him,  strange noises, tarps, manhole covers, bridges, water, crutches, bicycles, dogs, people crowding him, etc.  I’m really glad I got him when he was a weanling… he thinks all of this is normal stuff now and doesn’t give it a second thought.
I think he has the perfect temperament to be in a therapeutic program. He loves people, has a carefree mindset, and is always eager to please. 
Photo: Taking Henry and Jethro for a walk together. They did great!
Jethro and Henry the English Mastiff going for a walk together

Crossing the manhole cover


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10 comments:

  1. CaraJuly 3, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    Cute! I looked up therapy programs for my dog and I but it didn't end up working out. He seems like he would be great at it and I'm sure people would love a visit from little Jethro! Good luck :)

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  2. JudiJuly 3, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    How wonderful! You are going to have so much funa and brighten up so many people's day. I'm happy he seems to be perfect for the job.

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  3. UnknownJuly 3, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    this is great! i am sure it's a welcome change from the standard therapy dogs (not that dogs aren't great too). good luck!

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    1. Hannah July 5, 2014 at 3:17 PM

      Thanks! Sometimes it is good to mix things up a bit, haha :)

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  4. Laura @ Bit by BitJuly 4, 2014 at 2:00 PM

    Great idea! I have already alerted my husband that if I am ever in the hospital, he must coordinate therapy pony visits on the regular! Miniature donkey visits also welcome! :-)

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    1. Hannah July 5, 2014 at 3:18 PM

      Therapy ponies and donkeys would be a must for me too! :)

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  5. Achieve1dreamJuly 5, 2014 at 9:13 PM

    He is so adorable!!!!!!!! I'm so excited you're going the therapy route with him! I want to do that with my dog or with a mini horse someday. I'm looking forward to following your progress.

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  6. JodiJuly 6, 2014 at 2:04 PM

    That's so cool! He is just the cutest thing!

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