Mike Bakers response

This is the response recieved today from ceo Mike Baker: what it says: I am aware that you have recently signed a petition about our centre in Manchester and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to respond directly to you. The views of our staff, volunteers and supporters are incredibly important to us and enable us to carry out the good work of The Donkey Sanctuary all over the world. The first point that I can reassure you about in relation to this petition is that riding for children with additional needs is still happening at our Manchester centre. I have visited our centres and projects and have seen for myself the tremendous benefits that children derive from riding therapy sessions. The petition here mentions a new policy but what we actually have is a new way of working that is in addition to our riding therapy, one which means that even more children and young adults will be able to have those wonderful breakthrough moments. The new programme puts the donkey and child at the same level, both able to equally participate in the therapy session. I have seen how profoundly moving it is for the donkey and child to interact and be able to build trust, confidence and an emotional connection. The positive effects of these sessions continue long after the interaction and are incredibly rewarding to witness. I’m sorry to see that this petition isn’t reflecting the ten months of meetings and discussions that we held with all our staff and volunteers to introduce and discuss the new programme. We have made considerable effort to address concerns and explain the benefits of our new programme. It is unfortunate that a small group of volunteers found it difficult to support the new way of working and in view of the detrimental effect that this was having on the positive environment which is so key to successful therapy sessions for children, the difficult decision was made to ask them to agree to a parting of ways. As is often the case, there is much more to this story than initially meets the eye and in spite of this turn of events, we truly appreciate all that these volunteers gave over the years and wish them well. I am passionate about all aspects of our work and the incredible achievements of the Manchester team and look forward to extending our services to benefit more donkeys and people at our wonderful centre.