No trip to southern Arizona is truly complete without a visit with the warm-hearted staff and gentle donkeys at the Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary. Winding our way through gorgeous desert scenery, with the stunning Rincon Mountains rising as a dramatic backdrop, our excitement grew as we rolled up to the gate of the rescue where we were greeted with the soft brays from the treasured residents.
Aaron and I were truly blessed to spend the next three hours completely enraptured by stories from co-founder John Hiestand, who lovingly introduced us to each resident. Founded in 1997 when John bought a donkey named Blackjack for his wife’s birthday, this remarkable rescue has grown to well over 30 donkeys and remains steadfastly committed to ensuring their care and well-being for the entirety of their lives.
However, I found the rescue to be much more than that — a deeply moving, life-changing experience that exceeded all my expectations.
You simply cannot have a bad day once greeted by the iconic hee-haw of a donkey, and as we moved between pens the smile on my face quickly widened into outright laughter at their playful antics as they vied for our attention. As we strolled the beautiful grounds, John introduced us to each donkey, patiently explaining their individual personalities, noting any ailments (if present), and teaching us about the different varieties, sizes, and the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish a donkey from a burro or a mule. Some of the donkeys were understandably skittish—either because they had been mistreated in the past or had never been properly socialized—but each one readily accepted an animal cookie from John, a clear sign that he had earned their trust through steady care and kindness. As he said, you can learn a great deal about a person from the way an animal chooses to interact with them.
John showed us how to engage with the donkeys; explaining that gently caressing their ears was something they clearly enjoyed. After they were released from their pens following the morning meal, several of the donkeys nuzzled forward and rested their heads in John’s hands. I concurred with the donkeys, I think John is something special. Veteran, cancer-survivor, walking encyclopedia of flora and fauna, a visit with John is a simply an immersion into all things Arizona. Thank you for your service sir!
If you’ve never been leaned on by a donkey demanding a scratch, or had a curious donkey sneak up behind you, reach over their pen and softly blow on your hair, you haven’t truly lived. Part comedians, part human-whisperers, these gentle, mischievous creatures just seem to know exactly how to lift your spirits and make you feel inexplicably good. These pack animals have a connectivity that is truly unparalleled; we learned they’ll even alert staff if another donkey is ailing, because their bond is exceptionally strong.
Our visit was limited by our schedule, but if you’re interested in volunteering they would love to have you. The grounds are immaculate, each pen free of debris and exceptionally clean, taking many hands to ensure these beautiful creatures have the best space to live out their lives. With the freedom to wander and engage with visitors as they desire, the sanctuary is truly an oasis like no other. For a glimpse of our experience - watch our video below!
