Ten years with EARS Donkey Sanctuary has flown by says Assistant Sanctuary Manager and welfare assistant Shannon Zietsman who celebrated the anniversary with a braai at the Sanctuary. Shannon’s children Erin (15), Chloe (9) and Cayden (4) beamed with pride as their Dad accepted a Certificate of Appreciation for loyal service from Sanctuary manager Penny James.

Shannon is Penny’s right hand man both at the Sanctuary and when out on the road tending to injured or ill horses in the community. Penny described Shannon as extremely hard working, loyal and dependable. His duties include feeding the Sanctuary’s residents, clearing paddocks, fetching donkeys to and from their stables, cutting grass and assisting Penny with wound care and medication. He is also very active at the Sanctuary’s dipping and deworming outreach clinics and knows the community intimately so is able to assist with tracking owners whose horses are roaming or need care. He is also a support to farriers.