Jean Arnold has always wanted donkeys, but for a reason you may not expect.
“They’re very sociable and very level-headed, and they think things out before they do it,” she says.
“So they’re a good candidate for therapy.”
Miniature donkeys Pedro and Diego are the two latest additions to Ms Arnold’s home in Cobram, a river-hugging town in north-east Victoria.
With the support of a few dedicated volunteers, Ms Arnold is training her four-legged amigos to be therapy animals in local aged care homes.
Loneliness ‘takes its toll’
Marjorie Plaile is a resident at the Irvin House nursing home in Cobram.
She says when it comes to activities, she and her fellow residents are spoilt for choice.
“We go out on lots of different sorts of activities … there’s always something to do,” Ms Plaile says.
But she says some residents still struggle with isolation.
“You find that some people do, and it’s a shame really,” Ms Plaile says.
“I like to be on my own. I like my own space and that sort of thing.
“But it’s nice to get out occasionally, to do something different and see something different.”
Marjorie Plaile says some nursing home residents can feel isolated, even when surrounded by others.(ABC Goulburn Murray: Annie Brown)
Australians aged 65 and over are more likely to experience social isolation than any other age group.
And those in residential aged care are even more vulnerable, with more than 50 per cent experiencing symptoms of depression according to some studies.
Belinda Cash is social gerontologist from Charles Sturt University Albury-Wodonga.
Dr Cash says while loneliness and social isolation are distinct concepts, they are intricately connected.
“Loneliness is something that happens when an individual isn’t satisfied with the quality or quantity of social relationships that they have,” she says.
“So it is possible to feel lonely even if you have lots of people around, such as for people living in residential aged care.”
Dr Cash says growing older is not always straightforward.
“There’s a lot of stress and change associated with moving into a residential facility, and that often takes its toll on people’s wellbeing,” she says.
“So in the research space, we’re actively trying to better understand how we can support people’s mental health in the lead up to, and aftermath of, that transition.”
Unlikely therapists
That’s where Pedro and Diego come in.
Despite being less than a year old, these two miniature donkeys are training to be therapy animals.
Ms Arnold came up with the idea after realising many seniors lacked companionship.
“We wanted donkeys and thought, why not do something with them as well?” she says.
“And there are a lot of people in nursing homes who don’t have family or visitors.”
With the help of the Cobram community, Ms Arnold has raised enough funds to cover the cost of feed, insurance, and even a gazebo to host local seniors at her property.
Pedro and Diego met residents from the Irvin House nursing home in Cobram for the first time earlier this year.(ABC Goulburn Murray: Annie Brown)
At their first donkey-themed morning tea, Pedro and Diego were a hit with Ms Plaile and her fellow residents.
“They’re very friendly donkeys … it’s lovely to be able to stroke them, and make a fuss of them,” she says.
“It’s been very relaxing … just something different to being in the village, and something special that we can look forward to.”
Creativity is key
Dr Cash says it’s a promising initiative.
“There’s so much research that tells us that creative approaches are more engaging because people really enjoy the chance to connect with other people around a fun activity,” she says.
“And that’s where we actually see the benefits for mental health and wellbeing.”
And according to Dr Cash, animals could help rural residents feel more at home.
“We live among animals … people might have been on farms, or might have had pets in their home,” Dr Cash says.
“And these animals have been a big part of people’s lives when they’re at home in the community.”
Pedro and Diego are miniature donkeys on their therapy training wheels.(ABC Goulburn Murray: Annie Brown)
While Pedro and Diego are still learning, Ms Arnold says they are showing plenty of potential.
“The aim is to keep them in front of wheelchairs and people, and basically get them to settle down, stand still, and just enjoy all the attention,” she says.
“They’re only babies, so it’s all new to them, but I loved it — I’d have them and the residents out here every week if I could.”
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