A local elementary school student launched her summer by reaching a goal that involved her miniature donkey.
Sawyer Bauch, age nine, is a student at Alf Cuthbert School in Moosehorn. In her health class, the students were tasked with setting a goal. For Sawyer, it was an easy choice — she decided to train her miniature donkey named Fireball to be a service animal that could visit residents at Ashern Personal Care Home.
“He loves to give hugs and cuddle people. He is fluffy,” Sawyer wrote in a letter to explain her initiative. “He is very kind and he likes to get petted.”
On Monday, June 24, Sawyer’s goal became a reality when she brought Fireball for an outdoor visit at the care home.
The residents loved meeting Fireball, and one woman even noted that it was the first time she’d ever seen a donkey in real life. Until then, she’d only ever seen a donkey in pictures.
Recreation co-ordinator Darlene Hargot said the visit went well, and residents were amazed to have a donkey on site.
“Staff and residents very much enjoyed the visit. Some residents had a chance to pet Fireball and gave Fireball some treats. We were outside for nearly an hour,” she said, adding that the weather was warm and sunny for the visit on the back deck.
“We will have Fireball and Sawyer back in the fall for another visit. It has been a long time since Ashern Personal Care Home has had animals at the facility — the last time was before COVID.”
