Volunteer power helps Dobbin through tricky recovery

Twenty-year-old Dobbin, who resides at Paccombe Farm in Devon, was moved to a private stable with his companion Kitch after sustaining the injury.

Groom Lisa Coles says: “It had been raining heavily and the yard was quite wet when we noticed Dobbin was struggling to move. The vets think he may have slipped.

“He was very lame and resting his front leg, which was swollen.

“Dobbin was diagnosed with a tendon strain, which ultimately meant a long recovery was ahead of him. We were concerned, as he is such a sociable donkey and loves seeing the grooms walking up and down.

“It was really important Dobbin remained still during his recovery, so he had to be moved to another area of the farm. To take the pressure off his tendons, Dobbin was fitted with shoes with raised heels by farrier Matt Shearing.

“Unfortunately, the only stable we could move Dobbin to was accessible via a slope, meaning he couldn’t view the daily hustle and bustle of the farm.”

Dobbin would have become bored had it not been our amazing team of volunteers. All of the volunteers were instrumental in ensuring he had company and remained stimulated with plenty of enrichment.

Volunteers Gill and Jackie took particular interest in Dobbin’s recovery. The two ladies, who have an amazing 16 years of voluntary work at The Donkey Sanctuary between them, spent many days with Dobbin until he was able to be reintroduced back into a herd.

Gill says: “Dobbin is a very gentle, kind donkey so we always enjoy making contact with him. He was looking quite sad and bored when we saw him after his injury, as he was separated from the rest of his group. Life was a bit restricted for him, to say the least!

“We took the opportunity to give Dobbin and Kitch our company, which is one of the best forms of enrichment we can provide. That one-to-one attention is very special for us and for them both.

“Longer term, we hope to develop some more enrichment activities for the larger groups at Paccombe.”

Gill, who began volunteering at The Donkey Sanctuary in 2011, says her role is very rewarding for herself and the donkeys whose lives she touches every week.

As well as providing Dobbin and Kitch with lots of attention and grooming during the recovery period, Gill and Jackie also researched enrichment activities for the pair to keep their minds sharp and engaged.

Lisa adds: “Gill and Jackie were so proactive – at the very beginning, the vets weren’t sure Dobbin had laminitis (a dangerous hoof condition that can be fatal if left untreated).

“We had to really consider the calories he took in, so Gill and Jackie researched low-sugar treats and brought in lick mats (car mats spread with apple sauce) and herbs to hide.

“Gill had seen lick mats introduced at our main Sidmouth sanctuary site and wanted Dobbin to enjoy the same experience.

“These two special volunteers really went above and beyond, and we could clearly see how much of a difference they made to the quality of life of those donkeys while on box rest.”

Gill and Jackie began taking in celery sticks and turnip for Dobbin and Kitch, which brightened up their day – albeit only for a short time!

“Dobbin went off celery in the second week,” Jackie laughs. “However, he has kept his taste for carrots and apples as they’re a bit sweeter.”

Jackie first started volunteering in 2008, the year that The Donkey Sanctuary first rolled out the pilot scheme for its Quality Time Volunteers.

“Being a volunteer offers a lovely opportunity to be with the donkeys,” she says. “Just to be around them is wonderful.”

Emma Wakeham, our Volunteer Development Lead, says: “Volunteers are at the heart of so much of what we do. We are so privileged to have many passionate and committed volunteers who go the extra miles for our donkeys.”

Dobbin has now joined our oldies group at Paccombe, which suits his needs as it is a smaller herd with plenty of comfortable areas lined with rubber mats.

The sanctuary has also purchased an ice boot for Dobbin. This specialised legwear contains gel that can be frozen, providing relief to donkeys with soreness.

Dobbin wears the ice boot for an hour every day as he prepares to roam the fields once more.

Lisa adds: “Thankfully, all the swelling on Dobbin’s leg is gone. However, he continues to wear the boot as a precaution. We really want to wait until the weather is drier, as we are cautious about his first outing. We want him to be one hundred per cent!”