The Boy Who Found Safety: David and Donkey’s Story

David* was only three years old when he was adopted by a relative. While his adoptive family loved him deeply, the wounds from his early years remained just under the surface. He had little memory of his biological parents—only a lingering sense of confusion and anger that never seemed to go away.

By the time David arrived at equine-assisted counseling, he was 14 and already tired. Tired of being labeled the “angry kid.” Tired of yelling, punching walls, and watching people flinch or shut down around him. He didn’t want to be angry. But the emotions felt too big, too fast. And the only way he knew how to make them go away—even briefly—was through aggression.

Enter Donkey.

Donkey isn’t your typical therapy animal. Short in stature but wise beyond measure, he carries with him the quiet kind of strength—the kind that notices things others miss. From the beginning, David was different around Donkey. In place of shouting, there was silence. In place of slamming doors, a tentative hand reaching out to stroke soft fur. Donkey made David pause.

At first, David didn’t speak much during sessions. He wasn't sure how to explain what he felt without becoming overwhelmed. And, deep down, he worried that if he acted out, Donkey would be scared of him—or worse, go away. So he held it all in, bottling up the storm inside.

Then came the day his therapist gently invited him to talk about his biological parents. David had just mumbled, “I don’t know why they didn’t want me,” when Donkey turned his body and began slowly backing up toward him. It was a subtle movement—but one the equine specialist recognized immediately. This is how Donkey responds when he senses vulnerability or emotional distress. It's his way of saying: I’ve got your back.

For a long moment, neither David nor Donkey moved.
“I didn’t think animals could tell,” David said quietly, eyes fixed on the ground.

“They can,” his equine specialist replied. “Especially Donkey. He senses when people feel unsafe or unsure. And right now, he’s letting you know—he’s here. With you.”

David reached out, resting a hand on Donkey’s side. He didn’t cry. He didn’t yell. But for the first time, he didn’t hold it in. He talked.
About the anger. The guilt. The belief that there was something wrong with him—something that made him unlovable or unwanted. Donkey stayed close the entire time.

That moment was a turning point—not a sudden fix, but a shift.
Over the next few months, David began learning that anger is often a mask for deeper pain—sadness, fear, loss. He started exploring new ways to express those feelings. He practiced recognizing when the anger was building and learned tools to step away, breathe, or ask for help.

And through it all, Donkey remained a steady, calming presence—never demanding, never judging. Just being.

Why This Matters
For many children like David, traditional talk therapy can feel overwhelming or unsafe. Equine-assisted counseling offers a different path—one where healing begins not with words, but with presence.
Donkey didn’t teach David to stop being angry. He taught him that he didn’t have to be angry alone.
And that made all the difference.

Interested in working with Donkey as a client? Submit a Counseling Interest Form!
Want to support Donkey's work with more clients like David? Join Donkey's Carrot Club today!
​*Names and details changed to protect client privacy and identity

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