A psychiatric hospital in Neuilly-sur-Marne, France, uses therapy donkeys to help patients with mental health conditions recover. The program, started in 2016 by nurse Ermelinda Hadey and her husband François, has official status since 2022.
- Patients walk, groom, and bond with donkeys like Nono and Pitou, improving emotional regulation and social interaction. - The couple seeks formal recognition from the psychiatric community and more scientific research on animal therapy benefits.
- The program has expanded to include guinea pigs, chickens, goats, and rabbits, with sessions tailored to individual needs. The initiative, funded by France's public health system, helps patients break from treatment routines and build confidence, with staff noting significant progress in participants like Nathalie, who now stands beside her donkey after initial hesitation.