In a psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of Paris, therapy donkeys play an unusual but structured role in helping patients manage mental health conditions, as part of France’s public healthcare system.At the Ville-Evrard hospital complex in Neuilly-sur-Marne, 19th-century farm buildings and tree-lined surroundings provide a tranquil setting for animal-assisted therapy sessions. The Associated Press reported that the patients walked on Friday on five donkeys and groomed and cared for them, with some cleaning the hooves while others ended the session with hugs.“When you take medication that helps you relax…it’s exactly the same,” said Natalie, a 60-year-old patient.
“I call it animal medicine. It brings relief. You stop thinking about everything else.”Patients attend sessions free of charge as part of treatment funded by the public health system. They are usually paired with donkeys – Nuno, Beto, Oscar, Manolo or Malraux – and gradually learn the behavior of each animal.Audrey Sivar, a nurse in the unit, said that the program showed clear progress in some patients. “At first, she didn’t want to get out of the cart (provided it was for people with physical difficulties).”
“But she did it little by little, with encouragement. The animal acts as a mediator,” she added.Another patient, Jerome (52 years old), said that the sessions help reduce isolation. “Talking with people and participating in activities that I wouldn’t normally do helps me in my daily life,” he said.The Animal Therapy Unit, which was launched in 2016, was officially recognized as a healthcare service in 2022 and now includes nurses and volunteers. It has expanded beyond donkeys to include guinea pigs, chickens, goats, tortoises and rabbits.Staff say this approach supports patients with anxiety, depression, autism and schizophrenia by improving emotional regulation and social interaction. “Donkeys are my best colleagues,” a nurse said at the end of the session.
