A herd of donkeys at a charity in Staffordshire have been given spare football socks by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC to protect their legs from biting flies.
Donkeys' Legs Vulnerable in Summer
In the summer, donkeys' legs are vulnerable to being bothered and bitten by horseflies and other pests, but ordinary socks or coverings never stay up. So Donkey EARS, a charity in Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire, which aims to improve people's wellbeing through donkey-assisted activities, were delighted to get a call from the club.
The club's charity foundation received a box of spare socks, sized six to eight, after hearing they were beneficial for the animals.
Charity Director Praises the Donation
Delighted Donkey EARS director Jo Wightman explained: "Donkeys get really bothered in summer months by gnawing flies on their legs, so they need them covered. It's difficult to get an animal to keep things on, so sport socks are ideal because they stay up."
She said it was helping keep their vet bills down, as they often have to pay for treatment for infected fly bites.
"They look cool and are supporting the local team," she added. "I didn't realise the foundation work with a lot of the same clientele that we do... it's a nice connection."
"They [the socks] wash well and they have given me a whole box, so we've got spares."
Charities Working Together
Donkey EARS works with a variety of people, from those with special educational needs and disabilities, those with dementia, social prescribers and care homes. The Wolves Foundation work in the community to boost health and wellbeing, community and disability sport, schools and youth engagement.
"The donkeys were very grateful," said Wightman. "I did try and get them to play a bit of football, but they weren't interested."
The charity describes itself as offering "a unique experience to visit and spend time with our therapy donkeys." They offer "Equine Assisted Learning packages for learners with special educational needs including autism and neurodiversity, speech language and communication needs and social, emotional and behavioural needs, families experiencing difficulties, people in care homes, wellbeing & team building days for staff, and anyone seeking relaxation and mindful time with donkeys."
