FOR three years she was silent.

Little Amber Austwick didn't say a word, choosing to live her life quietly alongside her twin sister Hope.

Desperate to help their little girl, her parents Tracy and Julian took Amber to a sanctuary near their Sutton Coldfield home, so she could pet the animals as therapy.

And the couple were stunned when they finally heard their daughter's first words, as she told a donkey named Shocks, "I love you".

Now three years on, and the six-year-old is able to chat away with her family and friends, all thanks to the special bond she has developed with the rescue animal.

Mum Tracy, 39, said: "It was such an emotional moment.

"I couldn't believe my daughter had finally found her voice.

"Once she met Shocks he brought her out of her shell, she's a lot more confident with him and with friends at school who she loves to talk to about him and the donkey sanctuary."

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The idea came from some friends, who Tracy and Julian met in hospital and bonded with after both couples had premature babies with complications.

"They said to us about the donkeys," Tracy explained.

"And so in 2012 we went there and found Shocks, who had arrived at the sanctuary two years earlier.

"It was quite scary really.

"Shocks was in the arena and the riding instructor took little Amber to him and I found it scary for me because Shocks was so much bigger than her.

"But Amber wasn't scared and Shocks was really excited to meet her and they've kept that bond ever since."

Parents Julian and Tracy could not have anticipated just how effective the therapy would be and after several visits their mute daughter started to talk.

It was such an emotional moment. I couldn’t believe my daughter had finally found her voice

Twins Amber and Hope were born 20 minutes apart in June 2010 and were hurried to intensive care where they needed help to breathe, and were covered in bubble wrap.

Hope weighing 1lb 12oz and Amber 1lb 9oz both suffered bleeds to their lungs and had their own complications to face but when Hope got stronger Amber needed a tracheotomy.

The emergency operation saved her life but restricted air flow to her vocal cords causing her to be mute and completely unable to express herself through laughter or words.

That is, until she met Shocks.

The rescue donkey has become the fourth member of the Austwick family.

He was found lying almost strangled on an Irish farm with a rope tied tightly around his neck.

His owner thought pouring bleach over his horrific wounds and sores would help him recover.

Now, having been given a new lease of life, Amber has been as much therapy to him as he has to her.

Mum Tracy loved the sanctuary so much that she now works there meaning the family have grown only closer to the rescued donkey.

Tracy said: "When we have a study club at the sanctuary Amber will always visit Shocks and she still sees him whenever she can.

"He's part of the family now he's really lovely and so patient with Amber.

"I think donkeys are a lot calmer and they're more patient with children with special needs than ponies.

"She cleaned his eyes as recently as last week which she really enjoyed.

"Her speech is getting better and she has a speaking valve which forces air out of her mouth which really helps.

"When she does struggle for breath such as in PE at school she needs to turn it for an extra breath."

Dad Julian said: "We could see how strong a bond they had almost straight away by the way they were both so gentle with each other.

"Shocks would lower his head to her and would allow her to hold him around his neck and they really seemed smitten."

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