Donkey Park is the creation of Steve Stiert. The former software engineer had spent more than 25 years working in front of a computer. Six years ago, his job at IBM ended. At 59 years old, Stiert decided he wanted a change. He learned about donkey behavior from his daughter, who was studying to be a veterinarian. He quickly fell in love with the animal’s calming nature. Now, Stiert is giving people the chance to spend time with donkeys. He says he feels a close connection with these animals. He believes donkeys changed his life. “They brought out this caring, sensitive person I had pushed to the background while trying to be successful.” Stiert has 11 donkeys. He also has a mule and a donkey-zebra mix, called a "zonkey." All of the animals live on the grounds next to his home in Ulster Park, New York. The area is 130 kilometers north of New York City.