Donkeys-For-Good: Meet Jake

To raise awareness about Latham Centers’ Asinotherapy Program, we’ve launched this entertaining and informative blog series featuring our six miniature donkeys: Esther, Esau, Moonbeam, Curley, Angus, and Jake. Be sure to check in regularly to learn about the donkeys and the important role they play at Latham Centers.

Meet Jake: Like all the Latham donkeys, Jake is a pasture animal but there is no “grass growing” under Jake. Jake is exceptionally clever and quick-witted. A charming and a charismatic storyteller, Jake has never met a stranger. If he meets you once, you can bet that he will remember your name. He will also remember that he loved your orange sweater with the big buttons and the fact that your brother was the star wide-receiver at Dennis-Yarmouth in 1989. Jake never forgets a face or a good story.

Jake and his partner Curley are native Cape Codders. Born in Yarmouth, they are proud to be natives, but while Curley feels smugly superior to wash-a-shores and what could be considered simmering resentment toward summer residents and tourists, Jake is happy to share the Cape with anyone who loves it. He is even happy to share his knowledge of the best beaches and the secret backroads and shortcuts to Hyannis when the traffic is miserable in the summer.

In a recent interview with a reporter from “Hope in the Saddle” magazine, Jake shared:

All donkeys have a companion for life – not necessarily a mate, but a companion, a true good friend. Curley is my companion. My buddy Curley longed to be in the circus. I think that he hoped that we would pull a little cart full of trained poodles and rat terriers or something. I was always good at learning tricks and he loved costumes and an audience. He still does. Curley just loves an audience. I just couldn’t sign up for a life as a circus donkey. I wanted to make a difference and connect with people on a deeper level.

Curley and I have known each other since we were foals. We have never been hungry or cold. We have never really wanted for anything – kindness, attention, or even a good scratch behind the ears. There has been no struggle – you know what I mean. We are very fortunate. There are a lot of folks who struggle. I wanted to help people, especially people who must work harder to do the things we all take for granted. They are the real inspiration, right? Well they are my inspiration. I mean, why not be a soft place for someone and make their day a little easier and more fulfilling?

I didn’t have to work too hard to convince Curley (although he will pretend to grumble about it). I think he loves his role here at Latham even more than I do. How hard is it to let people love you and take care of you?

Jake and his fellow therapy donkeys, Moonbeam, Curley, Angus, Esau, and Esther, would like to wish the entire Latham Community a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful New Year!

Pictured above: Jake and Curley at their Latham home.