Jo-anne runs a sanctuary with 88 donkeys. She owns 200 pieces of donkey memorabilia.
"Donkeys are not stubborn. There's no such thing as a stubborn donkey. There's only stupid people. Yes, donkeys run my life. And I run along behind them, trying to keep up. What donkeys have taught me about humans is, be friends with the donkey rather than the human."
"Once they've become attached to you, or realise that you're not going to harm them in any way, they'll come in and watch television with you if you let them. And they'll bond with people, like a dog."
"I started Australia's first donkey sanctuary in 1972. It happened by accident. In the 70s, all these people had this romantci thought about having a pet donkey, and they put a donkey in their paddock. They didn't know anything about having their hooves done or their teeth done, and the donkeys were in agony. I put an ad in the paper saying 'if you'd like some help with your donkeys, please contact me. That was the begining. The phone never stopped."
"I realised I needed help when I realised I couldn't walk without help. I just can't do the work anymore. Donkeys can live very long, up to 60 or even more. I've got to pass it on to someone or close it, and I've got all these donkeys. I worry about what will happen to them."
"I'm going to still be involved until I cark it. I'll keep going out for as long as I can."The manager of the farm says; "Joanne's health is not the best, and it's not going to get any better. Her emotional attachment to the donkeys is that of someone who has worked with animals a long time. You can't do this kind of work and just do the work, you get emotionally involved, every animal is special. And letting go of that is never easy."
"The day that Jo-anne isn't able to come out for a visit will be one of the saddest days in the word. I think she'll want to come here as long as her legs work, or she can get somebody to carry her. This is her legacy. She started this sanctuary, she started something amazing. If Jo-anne didn't do itdonkeys would just be left to suffer. And it's our obligation to make sure this lives on in to the future, even when Jo-anne's not here."
