Donkey Sanctuary
Toby's retirement
Fundraising for The Donkey Sanctuary
Story
Toby retired from our adoption scheme and his role as assisted therapy donkey at Manchester on 1 September 2015 to enjoy a gentler pace of life. This gorgeous donkey has given many years of his life to helping children with additional needs overcome their difficulties. He has also provided much love and pleasure to his fantastic family of adopters. Toby will remain at The Donkey Sanctuary in Manchester with his best friend Tufty at his side.
Toby has touched so many people’s lives, helping children with additional needs for many years at the donkey assisted therapy centre in Abbey Hey, Manchester. Staff at the centre described him as rock for the children. Despite his cheeky nature outside the arena, he was always calm, quiet and loving with the children who visited him.
Toby has become renowned for his love of food. He’s blessed with a ‘treats radar’ that could pick up a tasty snack from a distance. He loves to plan his next feed store raid with best friend Tufty, who, as the braver of the two, would attempt to dive into the cupboard while Toby acted as lookout. The two became real experts at causing mischief while looking the very picture of innocence.
Toby came into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary after the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2002 closed his home - a petting farm at a theme park in the north of England. He was the 8,518th donkey to be taken into our care. Toby soon impressed the team with his intelligence and quick-witted nature so was nominated for the special role of assisted therapy donkey. Having been a loyal and caring friend we felt it was time for us to give back to him, to acknowledge the years he has given.
If you’d like to help other retired donkeys in our care, please make a donation. Every penny really does count for the 4,725 donkeys and mules currently in our care across the UK and Europe.
Toby has touched so many people’s lives, helping children with additional needs for many years at the donkey assisted therapy centre in Abbey Hey, Manchester. Staff at the centre described him as rock for the children. Despite his cheeky nature outside the arena, he was always calm, quiet and loving with the children who visited him.
Toby has become renowned for his love of food. He’s blessed with a ‘treats radar’ that could pick up a tasty snack from a distance. He loves to plan his next feed store raid with best friend Tufty, who, as the braver of the two, would attempt to dive into the cupboard while Toby acted as lookout. The two became real experts at causing mischief while looking the very picture of innocence.
Toby came into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary after the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2002 closed his home - a petting farm at a theme park in the north of England. He was the 8,518th donkey to be taken into our care. Toby soon impressed the team with his intelligence and quick-witted nature so was nominated for the special role of assisted therapy donkey. Having been a loyal and caring friend we felt it was time for us to give back to him, to acknowledge the years he has given.
If you’d like to help other retired donkeys in our care, please make a donation. Every penny really does count for the 4,725 donkeys and mules currently in our care across the UK and Europe.