In Cave Creek, therapy comes with long ears, soft eyes, and a surprisingly powerful sense of calm.
Donkeys of the Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing individualized equine-assisted services with donkeys for children and adolescents navigating mental health challenges. Its work supports emotional regulation, communication, confidence, and connection through a safe, professional, and ethical model built around one of the most misunderstood animals in the equine world.
Founded in December 2019 by Sophie Rainer, Donkeys of the Heart brings a European appreciation for donkeys to the Arizona desert. Rainer, the nonprofit’s founder and president, grew up in Europe around horses, built a competitive show-jumping background, and developed a deep respect for donkeys along the way.
After a successful corporate career, she created Donkeys of the Heart to share the steady, intuitive presence of donkeys with children and adolescents in the United States.
Why Donkeys, Exactly?
While equine-assisted services in the U.S. are often associated with horses, Donkeys of the Heart leans into the power of the less expected partner. Donkeys are smaller, calmer, and often less intimidating. They are emotionally aware, deeply trust-based, and highly attuned to the people around them.
They are also independent thinkers, which is part of the lesson. A donkey does not simply perform on command. It observes, responds, and sets boundaries. For children learning communication, self-regulation, patience, and confidence, that kind of honest feedback can be powerful.
Before the ride even begins, the work is already happening. Grooming and tacking help children build body awareness, focus, coordination, sequencing, problem-solving, safety awareness, and communication. A brush, a buckle, a pause, and a quiet moment of trust can all become part of the growth.
More Than Cute Animals
The organization serves children and adolescents with a range of needs, including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, Down syndrome, trauma, rare diseases, and other challenges. Programs include therapeutic and adaptive English riding, equine-assisted learning, educational programs, and nature-based experiences.
The riding program supports physical, psychological, social, and educational growth, from balance, strength, coordination, and sensory integration to self-confidence, emotional control, focus, listening skills, and friendship. Equine-assisted learning happens on the ground, using hands-on donkey activities to build life skills, cooperation, decision-making, respect, and empowerment.
This is structured, intentional work where children learn patience, responsibility, observation, and respect. The donkey’s comfort matters. The child’s voice matters. The relationship matters.
Rainer brings more than 40 years of equine management experience to the nonprofit, along with certification from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and a master’s degree in economics from Panthéon-Sorbonne in Paris.
At Donkeys of the Heart, the philosophy is simple and quietly radical: uncommon does not mean lesser. These donkeys are helping children build confidence, communication, and resilience one calm interaction at a time.
Insider Takeaways
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Donkeys of the Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Cave Creek, founded in December 2019. The organization provides individualized equine-assisted services for children and adolescents with mental health challenges.
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Founder Sophie Rainer brings more than 40 years of equine management experience and a European perspective on the healing power of donkeys.
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Programs include therapeutic and adaptive English riding, equine-assisted learning, educational experiences, and nature-based activities.
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Donkeys are central to the model because of their calm size, emotional intelligence, sensitivity, independence, and natural ability to teach boundaries.
To learn more, visit thedonkeysoftheheart.org.
