There were smiles all round at North West Hospice on the Mall in Sligo in recent weeks, when patients, staff and visitors received some very special visitors.
Each month therapy donkeys are brought in to visit by the staff and volunteers of the Sathya Sai Sanctuary. Founded in 1991, and based in Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo, the Sanctuary offers a place of peace and refuge for old, injured, abandoned, neglected and abused donkeys.
The Hospice visitors - Denver and Dumphy, known for their friendly nature and soft, calming presence - spend valued time with patients and their families. They provide comfort and entertainment for some and for others, the visits spark happy memories of time spent with animals in earlier life. For many, they bring a moment of connection and peace.
For Jess Kelly Director of Nursing at North West Hospice, the visits “remind everyone that even small moments like a nuzzle, a smile, or a shared laugh can bring light and comfort during emotional times.” Expressing her “heartfelt thanks to the Sathya Sai Sanctuary team for making the visits possible,” Jess noted how “animal assisted therapy has been shown to reduce stress, ease feelings of loneliness, and provide comfort in palliative care settings.”
The donkeys will also continue to feature when the new hospice – currently under construction – is opened in 2026.