Donkey Therapy Helps Mental Health Patients at Paris Psychiatric Hospital

Animal-assisted therapy at Ville-Evrard psychiatric hospital in Neuilly-sur-Marne, France, uses donkeys and other animals to help patients regain confidence and combat loneliness. According to the Associated Press, the program gained official health unit status in 2022, with founders Ermelinda and François Hadey now seeking further research for formal psychiatric recognition.

How do donkeys assist in psychiatric recovery?

Five donkeys—Nono, Pitou, Oscar, Manolo, and Malraux—serve as permanent staff members at the Ville-Evrard hospital east of Paris. Patients interact with the animals through walking, grooming, and physical affection. François Hadey, one of the project’s founders, describes donkeys as “emotional sponges” due to their calm and social nature.

The impact is often immediate for the patients. Nathalie, a 60-year-old patient, told the AP that the therapy provides relief and allows her to stop thinking about her stressors. Another patient, 52-year-old Jérôme, stated the program helps him break the repetitive cycle of medication and clinical treatment while reducing feelings of isolation.

What changed when the program gained official health status?

The project began in 2016 as an initiative by Ermelinda and François Hadey. In 2022, the hospital shifted the program’s status to an official health unit. This administrative change allowed the facility to expand the variety of animals involved in patient care.

The current therapeutic roster now includes:

• Guinea pigs and rabbits
• Chickens and pigeons
• Goats and turtles

This expansion indicates a shift toward a multi-species approach to animal-assisted intervention, moving beyond the traditional use of therapy dogs or horses.

Why is formal psychiatric recognition the next goal?

Despite its official status within the hospital, the Hadeys are pushing for broader formal recognition within the field of psychiatry. This requires more rigorous research to prove the clinical efficacy of animal-assisted therapy.

Ermelinda Hadey clarified that the therapy is not intended to replace medical doctors or prescriptions. Instead, she argues it serves as a complementary tool to help patients regain self-confidence. This distinction is critical for the program’s integration into standard medical protocols.

How does this compare to traditional therapy?

Traditional psychiatric care often relies heavily on pharmacological interventions and talk therapy. The Ville-Evrard model introduces a tactile, non-verbal element. While medication manages symptoms, Jérôme noted that the animals help “break the routine” of the clinical environment.

The shift from a “wellness activity” to an “official health unit” marks a transition in how French medical institutions view non-traditional interventions. It moves the practice from the periphery of patient leisure to a structured part of the recovery plan.

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