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Donkeys provide wellbeing to equine welfare officers
The event supported officers with their self-awareness, managing their emotions and communication.
The session rewarded workers from several equine charities.

Donkeys have been part of a wellbeing session, organised to support equine welfare officers from major equine charities.

The session invited officers from RSPCA, the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, the Hugs Foundation and the Donkey Sanctuary for a day to connect and build relationships with colleagues in similar roles.

The officers visited the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, where they were also able to interact with and spend quality time with the resident donkeys. The officers were put into three groups, which were rotated through different opportunities to connect with each other and with the sanctuary’s donkeys.

One mindfulness session offered them the chance to spend time with and groom the donkeys. Another saw the welfare officers create enrichment treats for the donkey herd.

The third activity was a donkey-facilitated learning session. Participants brought in an object which represented how they felt about their work life, and discussed it in the presence of the donkeys.

The group then observed how the donkeys mirrored their emotions when they were telling their stories.

The event was organised to help the officers with their self-awareness, managing their emotions and communication. This could help them with staying calm and grounded during stressful situations.

As well as improving the officers’ wellbeing, the Donkey Sanctuary says this will also make them more comfortable for equines to be around. Particularly for more anxious donkeys, having officers who are calm will make it easier for them to build trust and bond with people.

Jenna Goldby, the senior donkey welfare adviser who organised the event, said: “These days not only offer some emotional support, but also allow colleagues to network and form bonds and solid working relationships which they can take back to the field.

“It also gave an opportunity for those field officers that don’t deal with donkeys daily to ask questions and have some hands-on experience with these very special animals.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.