It’s snack time in the barn, and Seamus fills his droopy belly.
Early afternoons are routine now, even if he hasn’t quite figured out what all the fuss is.
After a bathroom break inside his barn, this five-month-old miniature donkey follows his friend Isla, the household dog, to the nearby back door of the house, and then inside.
Following a quick trip to the refrigerator, where he gets a few morsels of carrot to snack on, it’s over to the living room for an afternoon nap on the rug.
“There’s a reasoning for it,” says his owner Dana Blackmore. “We’re trying to acclimate him to indoor things. So you know that he sees doors open and close, he’s very comfortable with people and children and other animals. And, I tell you, he’s amazing.”
Seamus is the newest full-time resident of Pound Cove, N.L., one of the small communities of New-Wes-Valley on the coast of Bonavista North. Blackmore and Patrick Kean have two horses, a mule, a dog and cats that they keep at their home and a nearby farm they own. The plan is to build a barn and offer the animals as therapy tools.
Animal or pet therapy involves the socialization of animals with people coping with physical, mental or emotional issues. The focus is to provide companionship when people need it most. Animals used also include dogs, birds and horses.
“I’m forever hopeful that one day in the future … we set up some mental health [and] wellness with the horses, but namely starring Seamus. It’s the social nature of donkeys and the sweetness of him. He’s very favourable to being held and petted and gets along with other animals,” Blackmore says.
It was on a drive to St. John’s in January that Blackmore found the donkey in an online ad from northern New Brunswick. He was shipped to Newfoundland shortly after.
“We have two horses and a mule, so I always joke and say, ‘I have two-and-a-half horses’ because a mule, of course, is a donkey/horse, cross. And all the traits that I loved in her, I knew I would love in a purebred donkey.”
Seamus is being quarantined from the horses and mule for 30 days to prevent the spread of possible disease. After that, he’ll live with the other animals, but maintain his human contact.
“The routine he’s already established for himself is hilarious,” Blackmore said. “He’ll go into the house, he’ll walk directly to the patio door, he’ll come in, he’ll do a little roll. He’ll go to the fridge for carrot, and then he comes back and makes himself comfortable on the rug.”
Blackmore has been documenting some of her time with Seamus on her social media channels. They offer a glimpse into the disposition and personality of the donkey, and his cuddle time with humans.
“It makes me slow down, too. You know, I’m a very busy person. And, you know, I had to take … this two-hour break in the afternoon to spend with him. And it’s lovely.”
WATCH | Ever heard of a therapy donkey? Seamus may soon be on the clock:
Five-month old Seamus was recently adopted by a family in Pound Cove, N.L. With a little training, Dana Blackmore hopes her donkey’s sweet and docile demeanor will make him the perfect visitor for those in long-term care.
While Blackmore’s videos show the benefits of having a donkey, she cautions that it’s a lot of work, and they wouldn’t be able to do it if they weren’t already set up to house large animals.
“It’s a major commitment,” she said. “I’m not deterring people from getting one, but just remember that, you know, it’s a major commitment to have one for sure.”
Seamus’s training will continue for the foreseeable future. The long-term plan is to build a massive barn on newly acquired farm land close to their home — to be used to house all the large animals.
Down the road, they hope to open it up to the public and formalize a therapy animal program.
“He’s going to have a role to play in bringing some smiles and faces,” Blackmore said, “and I think at this time in our current lives and current affairs, it’s really well needed.”
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