Donkey therapy for owner's cancer

Mike Thomas says Dennis the donkey has become a Llanelli celebrity

A donkey from Llanelli, crowned the best in Britain, helped transform the life of his owner after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Mike Thomas decided to run donkey rides on the local beach to ensure he kept fit following his illness.

One of his animals, Dennis, has now won the prestigious Britain's Best Donkey of 2007 award.

The six-year-old received his prize at a ceremony at the town's Millennium Coastal Park on Tuesday.

The annual award, which was set up by Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary in 2003, aims to recognise high standards of animal welfare, health and happiness.

Dennis is the first donkey to win the award from Wales and was given his rosette and trophy at the a gala ceremony attended by Llanelli's mayor Raymond Neil.

Mr Thomas had previously entered Dennis's mother Bella in the competition but this was the first year he felt Dennis was ready to compete.

Working here is a bit like therapy to me and, touch wood, it seems to have kept the cancer at bay Donkey owner Mike Thomas

The judges agreed - and he won the regional and national title, beating almost 1,000 rivals.

Mr Thomas said: "Dennis has got the right looks and the right temperament. He enjoys his work."

The 44-year-old from Kidwelly started his donkey business in Llanelli in Easter 2006.

"I was diagnosed with lymph gland cancer in 2000," he said.

"My boy Rhys had always wanted a donkey and I didn't know what the future held, so I bought one.

"I had done the same job for 20 years working as a heavy plant operator in a quarry, sitting down all day.

"My doctor told me I needed plenty of exercise and I had to change the way I lived. So the donkey business went from there. Now I love what I do.

Trips to London

"Working here is a bit like therapy to me and, touch wood, it seems to have kept the cancer at bay."

Father-of-two Mr Thomas, who has 20 donkeys which he looks after and rents out to people, runs rides on the beach during the summer and takes the animals to carnivals, old people's homes and children's parties during the rest of the year.

He even goes to London to show Dennis to children in inner-city areas.

"You can't depend on them working on the beach," said Mr Thomas.

"A lot of beaches don't have donkey rides because the young kids don't want to do it anymore."

As Dennis received his award, competition national judge, Rosemary Clarke, said: "I am delighted to award Dennis with the title of Britain's 'Best Beach Donkey' because he had a real presence about him.

"He was beautifully turned out, in lovely condition and his owner obviously cared for his donkeys very much."

Rules protecting the welfare of seaside donkeys are also strict with an eight stone weight limit, effectively ensuring they only ever carry children.