When there has recently been talk of a donkey at Axperience, it was for a positive reason, and we did not mean one of our colleagues in the office. As…
When there has recently been talk of a donkey at Axperience, it was for a positive reason, and we did not mean one of our colleagues in the office. As part of our annual donation to a charitable institution, a project of the Stiftung Balm foundation was selected in 2016. The foundation offers people with a disability an environment in which they can learn, work, reside and live. One area in which work and learning take place is animal-assisted intervention, which was to be expanded with the new project. The foundation had started the project at the time and was looking for donations. As we had already supported the foundation in an earlier year, they approached us proactively with this idea, and we were inspired by the project and agreed without hesitation to fund a donkey. So things took their course and, after more than 16 months, we received the news that “our donkey” – Emir – had been acquired and would soon be on its way to its new home. Emir is a three-year-old, pure-bred Provence donkey – this breed is known for its good-natured and approachable temperament and is therefore an ideal animal companion for the clients of the Stiftung Balm foundation. The Stiftung Balm animal park is an idyllic attraction on the Balm grounds and a true place of encounter. At present, 34 clients use the animal park’s occupational programme. A supported employee is provided with a sheltered workplace there. Together with other employees, they ensure the well-being of the animals and interact with them in various ways. Valuable encounters also occur regularly with passers-by from the surrounding area. We are very happy to see how our donation will enable a project that brings joy to people and enriches their lives. You can find more about where Emir is deployed here (link to the Stiftung Balm website). If you have any questions about our donations, this project or the Stiftung Balm foundation, please feel free to contact our Kurt Rüttimann directly.