PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. –
Ken Parker was a pastor in Peru, N. Y., for over 30 years. When he retired, he was still looking for a way to give back to the community. Parker started the Butternut Ridge Farm in 2003 and a program called “Thera-pets.”
He and his staff spend their days breeding and training miniature donkeys to work as therapy animals.
“We like to be there right when the foal is born to play with them and get them used to people,” said trainer Suejin Trombley.
They’re taken around to visit places like nursing homes, schools and hospitals. “They go right up to people just like they are doing now this seems to be their nature,” said Parker.
Some donkeys have logged nearly 500 hours of community service, and there is no charge for their service. Parker said he doesn’t quite understand the connection between people and animals, but he said he’s witnessed time and time again by simply giving a donkey a hug does wonders to lift people’s spirits.
The former pastor said in the beginning he had to get past some “raised eyebrows” since donkeys aren’t a traditional “therapy pet.”
He doesn’t plan to stop his work anytime soon and instead hopes to bring a better understanding of how beneficial animals can be to humans.
“I think seeing animals like this bring people who have a diminished life in any way, joy and happiness,” said Parker.