Patients with mental health conditions at Ville-Evrard hospital near Paris receive therapy by caring for and walking five donkeys named Nono, Pitou, Oscar, Manolo, and Malraux. The sessions aim to improve emotional regulation, communication, social interaction, and self-esteem among psychiatric patients and are free of charge, funded by France’s public health system [1, 2].
The therapy unit operates within 19th-century farm buildings set in a wooded area inside the hospital complex in Neuilly-sur-Marne [1, 2]. The program began in 2016, launched by Ermelinda and François Hadey, and has since developed into a formal healthcare service recognized in 2022 [1, 2]. Since then, the program has expanded to include other animals like guinea pigs, chickens, goats, turtles, and rabbits [2].
Nurse Audrey Seffar described how the donkeys act as mediators in therapy, sharing the progress of a patient who initially could not leave her cart for physical reasons but gradually stood beside her donkey during sessions. She said, "The animal serves as a mediator. It’s such an extraordinary one that today she was able to leave the cart and stand beside her donkey" [1, 2]. Another nurse called donkeys her "best colleagues" [2].
Patients Nathalie, 60, and Jérôme, 52, reported relief from mental distress and loneliness through the therapy. Nathalie likened the effect of caring for the donkeys to medication, saying, "When you take medication that helps you relax … it’s exactly the same. I’d call it animal medicine. It brings relief. You stop thinking about everything else" [1]. Jérôme added, "Talking with people, taking part in activities I wouldn’t normally do, it helps me in my daily life. It helps you break away from the routine of treatment and medication. Staying at home isn’t good for me" [1].
The therapy sessions continue regularly, with patients still engaging daily in walks and care of the donkeys as of June 5, 2026 [1, 2].
