About Us
Gain personal and professional growth through the wisdom of donkeys via coaching and running in the Fort Collins, Loveland, CO areas.
Meet Lindsay Adler
Lindsay is a donkey lover and advocate for donkeys! Lindsay adopted most of her donkeys from Longhopes Donkey Shelter in Bennet, Colorado. After first adopting a bonded pair of donkeys, Lindsay was in love! Though, Lindsay knows how to handle and ride horses, she much prefers donkeys. She loves their gentle, grounded, inquisitive, loving and calm nature. Plus, they are so intelligent it makes working with them a breeze— if you have the patience!
Lindsay has been doing equine-based psychotherapy in her psychotherapy practice for many years. After much consideration, she felt that EVERYONE deserves the ability to grow working with donkeys, not just those that are struggling with a mental illness as in her psychotherapy practice. In 2025, Lindsay decided to carve out a coaching practice after noticing the positive effects her friends were having working the donkeys while running. And, THE DONKEY WAY was formed!
The Donkey Way was created to offer short-term and solution focused coaching for everyone (including organizations) wanting to learn more about themselves and build skills to be better humans, team members (we like to say "herd members") and organizations without needing to dive deep into past issues or have a mental health diagnoses. The Donkey Way works on coaching you to be the best you now!
More about Lindsay: Certifications & Licensing
Lindsay is a Certified Gestalt Equine Psychotherapist and received her equine-based training with the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies. Her training program provided training for both therapists and coaches, allowing Lindsay to work with those with and without a mental health diagnosis. Her training focused on working with equines from a relational approach with the understanding that equines offer great wisdom to humans, particularly supporting us with learning skills such as presence, connection, communication and leadership.
Lindsay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in several states (CO, CA and RI) whose psychotherapy practice focuses on supporting those with eating disorders and trauma through various types of evidence-based therapy practices. She received her MA in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. She has worked in inpatient/residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. She is recognized as a Certified Eating Disorder Professional and Consultant (CEDS-C) by the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and trains other therapists seeking professional certification. She has completed full certifications in two somatic focused treatment modalities designed for treating trauma and attachment wounds: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy from the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and EMDR from the EMDR International Association. Lindsay is also a trained yoga instructor and has worked as a yoga teacher in studios and eating disorder programs. For therapy services, see her therapy practice website at holisticandintegrativetherapy.com.
Meet the Herd
Clara
Clara is almost 20 years old! She is a standard sized donkey with traditional grey markings and a cross on her back. Clara loves her burro buddy, Lorelei and is the most willing of donkeys — if you have her trust! She can be opinionated, but mostly because she knows best! Clara loves caring for those she loves and trusts. Clara’s favorite treat is — anything!
Lorelei
Lorelei is the sweet and quiet type. Lorelei is also a standard sized donkey. She doesn’t like to be pushed around too much. She is a willing partner, but you need to meet her with the same gentle kindness she gives you! She likes to run or hike with her partner Clara, always being behind Clara, letting Clara lead — most of the time. Lorelei’s favorite treat: apples!
Halle
Halle is a gorgeous brown donkey with white points, who is a large standard sized donkey. Halle knows what she wants and is not afraid to show you! Halle is a willing partner as long as she has her two friends nearby, Clara and Lorelei. Halle was once partnered with a horse for most of her life, but found out she prefers her own kind- donkeys! She is the most likely to call out (bray) for her friends to make sure she isn’t left alone. Halle’s favorite activity: anything with the her friends, Clara and Lorelei
Chicklet
Chicklet is the true example of “the gentle giant”. She was once used for breeding and is the “mom” of the herd and always wants to make sure everyone is together. Chicklet prefers walking to running, but that’s because she is so big! Though, she is a willing runner when she is with her friends! She is warm, loving and generous. Chicklet’s favorite spot to be scratched: her shoulder.
Turner
Turner is the most loyal of donkeys. He is a beautiful Red Roan mammoth donkey, who just wants to BE with you all the time! The youngest of the donkeys, Turner is eager to please, connect and wants to work! He is the first to want to go riding or running/ hiking… but he doesn’t want to be too far from his friends. Turner’s favorite past time: sun bathing in the sand!
Elliott
Elliott is a sweet and gentle soul. He is bonded with Turner and loves to give hugs — be prepared for holding his heavy head! Elliott has no mean bone in his body. He lets people cuddle with him while he lays on the ground and a solid leader for his bother, Turner. Elliott enjoys playing with his brother and chasing him throughout the pasture or paddock. Elliott’s favorite way to connect with you: HUGS!