 Serena* had always been good at hiding her emotions. After years of bouncing around from foster home to foster home, she’d learned that showing vulnerability only made things harder. When she was finally adopted at age 10 by a loving family, everyone told her she should feel lucky, but she just felt confused. Her new parents were kind, patient, and wanted to understand her, but she couldn’t bring herself to trust them completely. She built walls around her heart, laughing off tough moments, masking her feelings with sarcasm or silence. As Serena grew older, her isolation deepened. She longed to feel connected to her family but didn't know how to let her guard down. She would retreat to her room, spend time alone, and avoid deep conversations. Whenever someone came too close to her emotions, she’d dodge it with a joke or change the subject. One day, during her equine assisted counseling session, Serena was brushing Donkey. Donkey was known for being able to sense emotions in a way that humans couldn’t. Whenever someone felt vulnerable, anxious, or overwhelmed, Donkey would step in—literally. He’d place himself between them and whatever seemed to be causing the distress, like a quiet protector. Serena had always felt at ease with Donkey. His presence was calming, and he didn’t demand anything from her, unlike the humans in her life. They would spend time in silence, the sound of the brush moving through his fur and the rhythm of his breathing soothing her. But one day, as she absently brushed his coat, something slipped. “I don’t know… sometimes I just wonder why she left,” Serena mumbled, thinking about her biological mother. The words came out before she could stop them. She tensed, realizing she’d revealed more than she ever meant to. Quickly, she tried to cover it up. “But, hey, who needs her anyway, right?” The therapist, standing nearby, observed quietly. Serena’s joking tone didn’t fool Donkey. He stopped grazing and his ears perked up. Without warning, Donkey backed up slowly and gently pressed his body against Serena’s side. His warmth surrounded her like a shield, his solid weight a grounding presence. Serena froze, confused by his sudden movement. “Why is he doing that?” Serena asked nervously, her voice tinged with fear. The therapist smiled gently. “Donkey can sense when someone feels vulnerable or anxious. He tends to do this when he thinks someone needs protection. He must have picked up on something you’re feeling.” Serena felt her chest tighten. She didn’t want to believe it, but she could feel it in the pit of her stomach—the sadness she’d been burying for so long. Her walls had cracked just a little, and Donkey had noticed. He wasn’t judging her or pulling away. He was standing right there, refusing to leave her side. A deep breath escaped Serena’s lungs, shaky and uneven. She felt her face flush as tears welled up in her eyes. For the first time in years, she let go. The sobs came, heavy and raw, as she collapsed into herself, her face buried in Donkey’s soft fur. The weight of her sadness, anger, and confusion poured out in waves she could no longer control. “I never got to say goodbye,” Serena cried. “I didn’t get to ask her why.” Donkey stayed rooted beside her, his calm energy unwavering. The therapist moved closer, kneeling beside Serena without saying a word. The silence between them was comforting, allowing Serena to feel her pain without the pressure of explanation. When the tears finally slowed, Serena felt lighter, as if she had shed something she’d been carrying for too long. She looked at Donkey, still pressed protectively against her, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she didn’t feel the need to hide. Serena wiped her face and took a deep breath. “I didn’t think anyone could know how I felt,” she whispered. “But he… he just knew.” “Donkey doesn’t need words,” the therapist said softly. “He understands what you’re really feeling, even when you’re not ready to speak it.” Serena nodded, feeling a strange new sense of peace. It was still hard to believe that someone—or something—had seen through her walls. But instead of feeling exposed or scared, she felt safe. That day marked a turning point for Serena. Donkey had shown her that she didn’t have to hide behind jokes or walls. It was okay to feel pain, to be vulnerable, and to let others see her for who she truly was. Slowly, Serena began to open up, not only in her therapy sessions but also with her family. The walls she had so carefully constructed started to come down, and she discovered that the people in her life were willing to stand by her just as Donkey had—protective, patient, and understanding. *Name and details changed to protect client identity and privacy. Photo does not depict real client. Would you like to support Donkey's work with more clients like Serena? Give a one-time or monthly gift to Donkey's Carrot Club! Want to work with Donkey as a client? Fill out our Counseling Interest Form!
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