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!
Dylan
Donkeys of the Heart has been invaluable to our daughter, Dylan, and to us as parents over the course of her program.
Watching Dylan develop a sense of independence, grow her confidence, exhibit responsibility, and gain respect for these animals at just the young age of four is such a gift.
We see the care and attention provided by the instructors each week and appreciate the bond they share with both the donkeys and our daughter all while teaching such important lessons and keeping safety a priority.
We are so lucky for Dylan to have this opportunity with Donkeys of the Heart.
Sebastian
As my husband and I watched our son this morning riding Alfred, his regular donkey mount, we smiled at how far Sebastian has come in your program, in just under a year.
Today he was giving appropriate commands to Alfred, with confidence and joy. He was steering on his own, having solidified his “rights and lefts” in this program.
He was learning subtraction skills with Sophie as she assisted him with the number of dots each foam dice had on its side.
Sebastian was smiling, balanced physically on Alfred and very present. He was listening to the donkey, the environmental noises, Sophie’s directions, the volunteers and his own body.
For a child that just a year ago was very dysregulated, this vision today and almost every single Friday morning we come to the program, is a stunning transformation.
A year ago, we did not know how to exactly support Sebastian and his neurodivergent needs.
We changed schools and hired an ABA Therapist. We had to learn new ways to manage big emotions. When we heard about Donkeys of the Heart, we took a chance, honestly thinking it would metaphorically “stretch” him too far.
It did not.
It also gave him so many tools for life that he continues to build upon. He improved his physical strength and balance, ability to listen and be present, confidence, clarity, social interactions and much more.
We have and always will recommend this program for those it can help. Sophie is an amazing instructor, who gives all of herself with each lesson to create a structured and caring space to learn and blossom.
What a gift. Our family now knows way more about donkeys than we ever thought we needed to know!
Ella
Donkeys of the Heart has been such a wonderful experience for my 9-year-old daughter. She has been participating in lessons for about five months, and we’ve seen her confidence grow so much during that time. She truly enjoys working with the donkeys and looks forward to every visit. The program provides a caring, supportive environment, and we are so grateful for the positive impact it has had on her.
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........
Ryan I
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.
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