At the psychiatric hospital in Neuilly‑sur‑Marne, east of Paris, patients have begun structured sessions with donkeys as part of an experimental therapy program. under staff supervision, participants clean the animals’ eyes and perform gentle grooming tasks, aiming to reduce anxiety and foster emotional connection.

Donkey sessions at Neuilly‑sur‑Marne hospital reshape daily routine

Each week, a small group of patients gathers in a dedicated barn where a pair of calm donkeys await. The schedule includes a brief briefing , hands‑on care activities, and a debriefing period to reflect on feelings that arose during the interaction. according to the report, the routine is designed to be purposeful and sensory‑rich, offering a break from conventional talk therapy.

Staff members and volunteers monitor the sessions to ensure safety for both patients and animals. The hospital’s director, who requested anonymity, says the program complements existing treatments and provides a “non‑clinical” space where patients can experience responsibility and tactile engagement.

Patient‑led eye‑cleaning routine highlights therapeutic focus

Photographs released by the hospital show patients gently wiping the donkeys’ eyes with soft cloths, a task that requires concentration and gentle touch. The report notes that this simple act helps participants practice mindfulness, as they must stay present to avoid startling the animal.

One participant, who asked to remain unnamed, described the experience as “a moment of quiet where I could feel useful without being judged.” Such personal testimonies are being collected to gauge the program’s impact on mood and anxiety levels.

Animal‑assisted therapy trend exapnds across France

The Neuilly‑sur‑Marne initiative is part of a broader movement in French mental health care that embraces animal‑assisted interventions. As the report states, these programs leverage the calming presence of animals to aid emotional regulation and social interaction. Similar projects using dogs, horses, and even llamas have emerged in hospitals and community centers over the past five years.

Researchers at the University of Paris‑Sorbonne are beginning to track outcomes from multiple sites, hoping to build a data set that could inform national health policy. The growing interest reflects a shift toward holistic and experiential therapies that sit alongside medication and psychotherapy.

Questions about clinical evidence and scalability

While the visual documentation is compelling, the report acknowledges that rigorous scientific validation remains limited. Critics ask whether the observed mood improvements are sustained over time or merely short‑term relief.

Another open point is the program’s scalability: donkeys require specific housing, feeding, and veterinary care, which may be prohibitive for smaller facilities. As of now, the hospital has not published formal outcome metrics, leaving policymakers to rely on anecdotal reports.

Who funds and regulates the donkey‑assisted program?

The article does not specify the source of funding, but mentions volunteers and staff involvement, suggesting a mix of public health budget allocations and charitable donations. French health authorities have yet to issue formal guidelines for donkey‑based interventions,creating a regulatory gray area that could affect future expansion.

Overall, the Neuilly‑sur‑Marne project illustrates both the promise and the challenges of integrating unconventional animal‑assisted therapies into mainstream mental health services.