Testimonials
Ryan II
We are so grateful for “The Donkey of the Hearts”!
From the moment we arrived, the warmth and care from Sophie and the amazing volunteers made all the difference.
Our son Ryan started the session crying and visibly uncomfortable—but by the end, he was smiling, laughing, and didn’t want to leave.
The connection he formed with the donkeys, especially through the gentle and patient guidance of the team, was incredible.
This kind of therapy is truly special.
Thank you for giving Ryan such a joyful and healing experience.
We can’t wait to come back!
Henry
I would like to share our experience with Donkeys of the Heart.
Each class my son takes focuses on so many areas! I see my son growing in using his voice with confidence, improving his balance, working on crossing midline, and practicing breathing techniques to calm his nervous system when he is feeling anxious.
My son is also working on learning new vocabulary words and using them during class.
This helps him with his long-term memory and word retrieval. My son has dyslexia, and I am hopeful that all he is learning here will support him in learning how to read.
I am so impressed by the attention he receives, how motivating the classes are, and how much he gets out of each class! We are so appreciative of Donkeys of the Heart and Charlie the Donkey!
Daniel
Daniel has benefited GREATLY with this. It has helped him manage his stress and emotions and helps build his confidence and independence.
The Donkeys are remarkably intelligent. (Smarter than many humans I've met) and they nurture him and surround him if he is stressed and feeling upset.
They carry a great gift. They can read the emotions of children, and anyone who is stressed or feeling anxious or upset.
Sophie Rainer is beyond exceptional as a very gifted teacher, guide and mentor to our boy.... HIGHLY recommended........
Kyler
A Heartfelt Thank You to The Donkeys of the Heart.
Our family has been blessed to be a part of The Donkeys of the Heart riding program for over a year, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
My son, who is autistic, has truly blossomed during his time with the donkeys. Not only does he love helping care for them, but riding his donkey, Zeb, has become something he looks forward to every week.
The program has been so much more than just riding—it's been a journey of growth for him.
We've watched him become more social, building a connection with his trainer, and gaining a sense of confidence and independence that carries over into other areas of his life.
The guidance and support he’s received from the staff have been invaluable, and the joy he gets from working with the donkeys is something we will forever cherish.
This program is donation-based, and it’s clear how much heart and soul are poured into it.
They truly need all the support they can get, and I urge anyone looking for a meaningful, life-changing experience for their child or loved one to consider joining this amazing community.
Thank you to everyone at The Donkeys of the Heart for everything you’ve done for our family!
- Kasey and Kyler
Ryan II
A Truly Exceptional Experience with Sophie Rainer and The Donkeys of the Heart
I cannot speak highly enough about the transformative impact Sophie Ranier and The Donkeys of the Heart have had on my 11-year-old son, who has autism, sensory challenges, speech, and neurological disabilities. Sophie is an incredibly patient, kind, and knowledgeable teacher who has an exceptional understanding of equine therapy, particularly as it relates to donkeys, and how they can support children with disabilities.
What stands out the most about Sophie is her ability to focus on and nurture my son’s core strengths. She sees nuances in his behavior and responses that even I, his mother, sometimes miss. This deep level of understanding, combined with her expertise, has made her a crucial part of his overall therapy plan. Sophie’s approach not only complements the other therapies my son is receiving but enhances them in ways that are tangible and meaningful.
The Donkeys of the Heart offers a wonderful, safe, and supportive environment for children. It’s an ideal setting for any child who loves animals or may have hesitations toward larger animals like donkeys and horses. Sophie’s calm, empathetic guidance and the calming presence of the donkeys create a truly unique therapeutic experience.
In summary, Sophie Rainer and The Donkeys of the Heart provide an invaluable service to children with a variety of needs. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to any family seeking a compassionate and effective therapeutic experience for their child.
B & B
My two young boys, ages 8 and 10, have been attending "The Donkeys of the Heart" in Cave Creek, Arizona for therapeutic riding lessons since September of 2024.
My youngest son suffers from anxiety and separation anxiety. His very first riding lesson he panicked a little when he realized he had to get in the saddle that day.
Ms. Sophie was so kind and supportive through his tears; he got up on that saddle even through his fears and anxiety.
She is very encouraging and really cares about the safety and well-being of her students.
He has come so far since that first day, even family members have noticed a change. Now he can catch and halter donkey Violette, they groom their donkeys from brushing to picking their hooves and checking for wounds, and fully tack them and mount them and dismount, untack, and clean up after them.
This program is really teaching my boys work ethic, care, persistence, and that we can work through hard situations.
Outside of this program it has helped my youngest to work through his big feelings and be more independent and content.
Yes, he still has some hard days/times, but he is really learning well to manage his emotions through life experiences and therapeutic riding. I really adore that I found such a great program for my boys.