Meet Alyssa Berlew | Owner of Desert Donkey Experiences

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Berlew and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My business actually started by accident. I was trying to make a start training people’s donkeys to be good equine citizens, and advertised on Facebook and then Nextdoor. On the Nextdoor post I added a sentence “also, if you’d like to meet and walk a donkey, please reach out” and in 2 days my post had 15,000 views, 200 comments, and over 150 messages. And just like that, Desert Donkey Experiences was born!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I absolutely love sharing my donkeys with others. These underrated creatures get a bad rap, as they are such kind, gentle, and intuitive animals that bring a smile to everyone’s face.

I was a coronary care nurse in Virginia for several years, before becoming a stay at home mom to twin boys when the Army moved us to AZ. When they started school I decided to get back into the workforce, but I had no desire to go back into nursing.

Instead, I got my CPR instructor certification and started teaching for a local company. I also decided to try to branch out as a donkey trainer, as I have had pretty good success training my 3 donkeys to hike, compete in races, and be solid equine citizens.

In advertising my donkey training services I realized that people love donkeys! I started offering free group walks in my Queen Creek neighborhood once or twice a week for people aged 12 or older, as a way for people to meet the donkeys but also to meet new people with donkeys as an ice-breaker.

I also started offering individualized 30 or 60 minute donkey experiences, where people of all ages can meet and brush the donkeys, watch them perform tricks, and lead them around my backyard obstacle course and in my neighborhood. This was very popular, and in April we also started offering hiking with donkeys.

We have only been in business since March, and are planning to offer beverage or party burros starting in the fall, where we will bring a donkey to a wedding or party where they can carry drinks in beautifully decorated pack saddles, and mingle with guests.

I truly love my donkeys, and strive to give them the best care and training possible. I think my enthusiasm shows in every donkey experience I host, and I hope that they bring customers even 1/10 of the joy they have brought to my life!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start the day with a bright and early donkey walk, of course, followed by breakfast at Egg N Joe in Gilbert. Then maybe a trip to Goldfield Ghost town or Schnepf Farms to explore the farm and buy some baked goodies. I would definitely recommend a meal at Joe’s Farm Grill, and exploring the Queen Creek Olive Mill to grab some drinks and listen to live music on the shade of olive trees. I always love a trip to the Phoenix Zoo, and a hike in the Superstitions would be a must. Taking a drive to Tortilla Flats is always a scenic and fun adventure! There is no shortage of things to do in Arizona!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Adam, definitely deserves a ton of credit. He has always supported- well, tolerated-my donkey obsession, and after retiring from the Army after 22 years, he now drives the trailer, and helps lead donkey hikes.

My good friend, Catherine Taylor, who first introduced me to her amazing miniature donkeys and got me started in the donkey world. She is a truly wonderful person and also breeds some of the best miniature donkeys around!

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