Students from the University of Bristol’s Equine Veterinary Society (BEVS) enhanced their knowledge and learnt more about the needs and behaviours of donkeys on a recent trip to The Donkey Sanctuary.
The students were given a tour of the facilities at the charity’s dedicated donkey hospital near Honiton before visiting the main sanctuary which is in Sidmouth. While at the Sidmouth site, the group met and interacted with the Donkey Assisted Activity (DAA) herd.
“It was lovely to meet the students from BEVS. They were all very interested in the differences of donkeys and what we do at the veterinary department so much so that one of the students has asked to come and do her EMS (extra-mural studies) two-week placement next year with us,” said Emily Buckley RVN, head nurse at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Many of the group has not had much contact with donkeys before and were surprised to to hear of the bond that donkeys form, and at the connections they felt they were making.
Making connections
“My initial perception of donkeys was that they were loud and difficult to handle. After coming to The Donkey Sanctuary it changed massively. They are calm, friendly and intelligent,” said student Shuai Jin.
Fellow student Jessica Kuala added: “I felt a connection with donkeys Rupert and Wizard who are unsurprisingly a bonded pair. Rupert especially spent a lot of time with me holding his head in my arms whilst I was stroking him and scratching his ears.
“Wizard did the same while also being inquisitive investigating my coat. Rupert moved towards me and nuzzled into me when I stepped away choosing to be in my presence. I easily fell in love with them both!”
Enhancing knowledge
BEVS is a University of Bristol society which was set up in 2013 to give students the opportunity to learn more about equine medicine. They offer a wide range of lectures, practical, trips and resources to Bristol veterinary and veterinary nurse students.
“We enjoyed welcoming the veterinary students into DAA, and to see them learn about our donkeys,” said Stephy Studley, DAA equine assistant and centre support.
“They asked some great questions, enjoyed mutually beneficial interactions, and came away with new knowledge that they could apply in future, such as discovering the importance of pair bonds to overall health and wellbeing when providing veterinary care.”
Images © The Donkey Sanctuary.
