Meet Amber and her therapy donkey named Shocks. This lovely pair had a rough start in life.
When Amber was born, she underwent a surgery that saved her life, but cut off the airflow from her vocal cords leaving her completely mute. If that wasn’t enough, Amber also got diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her therapy donkey Shock too had a rough life. He was found with a rope around his neck and was covered in sores and lesions. Luckily, he got rescued and got taken to The Donkey Sanctuary in Birmingham, where he met his friend Amber.
Everything changed from the moment they met.
“It was fairly immediate to see they had a bond together, as they were both so gentle with each other. They really seemed smitten!” says Austwick, Amber’s mom.
Amber’s health improved and her muscles became stronger. Amber also underwent another surgery that was suppose to bring back her ability to speak. Her first words were “I love you Shocky”.
“It was such a proud moment and of course a massive relief to know that she could speak,” Austwick remembers. “I’d say they healed each other.”
