I love the thought of a seeing eye dog and how much they can help people who need it.  They can also be support/therapy animals if someone needs a companion as well.  Great mental health animals.

Via Youtube KARE 11
Via Youtube KARE 11
loading...

But what about a therapy/ seeing eye... DONKEY???

Yes, there is a seeing eye/therapy donkey who's name is Tip Toe.  Tiptoe has been used in several hospitals and senior living facilities and also as a seeing eye donkey for a blind horse in the twin cities.

Little Tiptoe didn't have a great start to his life.  According to a story from People Magazine, Tiptoe was stomped as a baby donkey.  He had all four of his little feet, and his neck stomped.  He was rescued and bottle fed by veterinary ICU at the University of Minnesota.  Because of this, little Tiptoe thinks he is a person.

Now, Tiptoe acts as a seeing eye donkey for a blind horse, and also as a therapy animal in senior living facilities and for memory care residents.  Tiptoe's owner, Erin Larson says that it is amazing how Tiptoe helps people by just snuggling in with them and making each person feel more secure and just happier.

"He tends to tap into something deep down inside and get them talking," she says of his interactions with residents. "It's just really cool how somehow a little donkey connects with them on a different level."

Larson says that whether the person wants the donkey around or not at first, Tiptoe will just come right up to a person and snuggle in. The person then finds that they love having Tiptoe around and it really makes their day.

Tiptoe is only 2 years old, so hopefully he will be around for several more years helping people... and horses.

Why do giraffes have long necks? Answers to 25 animal evolution questions:

Stacker curated a list of 25 animal evolution questions and answers to explain some scientific mysteries, from why giraffes have such long necks to how ants can carry 50 times their body weight. 

Gallery Credit: Stacker

WATCH OUT: These are the deadliest animals in the world

 

 

More From 103.7 The Loon