How One Oklahoma Family's Search for Answers Led to Oklahoma Donkey Dairy

Educational Notice

This article and podcast are provided for educational and informational purposes only. The experiences shared by our guest reflect her personal journey and observations. Individual experiences vary, and personal stories should not be interpreted as scientific evidence or medical advice. Discussions of nutrition, foods, and emerging research are intended to encourage informed conversations, not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding questions about your health or your child's health.

When Everything Changed Overnight

Every parent hopes their child will grow up healthy, happy, and full of possibility. For Saundra Traywick, that hope was shaken when her six-year-old daughter experienced a sudden and dramatic change in behavior.

Almost overnight, her daughter developed obsessive-compulsive behaviors, intense anxiety, emotional outbursts, food aversions, and other neurological symptoms. The changes were so unexpected that Saundra initially feared something serious, such as a brain tumor.

Determined to understand what was happening, she began searching for answers. That search would eventually lead her down an unexpected path—one that would inspire Oklahoma Donkey Dairy and a mission to help educate other families.

Learning About PANDAS

Within days, Saundra connected with a physician who recognized her daughter's symptoms as consistent with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections).

Although her daughter had not shown the classic signs of strep throat, testing later confirmed a streptococcal infection. At the time, awareness of PANDAS was limited, and many healthcare providers were still becoming familiar with the condition.

After treating the active infection, Saundra continued looking for ways to support her daughter's overall health and recovery while working with healthcare professionals.

Continuing the Search

Like many parents facing a difficult medical journey, Saundra spent countless hours reading scientific literature, exploring nutrition, and connecting with other families who had faced similar challenges.

Rather than accepting that she had exhausted every option, she remained committed to learning.

"If they're still trying to figure it out, then I can keep researching, praying, and learning too."

That mindset would eventually change the direction of her family's life.

An Unexpected Discovery

During her research, Saundra noticed discussions among some families about the nutritional properties of camel milk. Curious, she decided to learn more and incorporated it into her daughter's diet under her family's personal approach.

Later, while visiting a camel farm in Oklahoma and considering whether to raise camels themselves, the family discovered another possibility.

Someone suggested looking into donkey milk instead.

It was an idea they had never considered.

A Memorable Turning Point

Saundra recalls that after introducing donkey milk into her daughter's routine, she observed changes that were deeply meaningful to her family.

One moment, in particular, remains unforgettable.

She remembers her daughter looking at her father and saying, "I love you, Daddy"—words she had not expressed since becoming ill. Later, she also told her grandparents she loved them, bringing tears to the family's eyes.

For Saundra, these experiences inspired a lifelong interest in learning more about donkey milk and its unique nutritional characteristics. While her family's story is personal and cannot establish cause and effect, it became the foundation for years of education, farming, and advocacy.

Why Researchers Are Interested in Donkey Milk

Donkey milk has been consumed in various cultures for centuries and has attracted scientific interest because of its unique nutritional composition.

Researchers have explored topics such as:

• Its naturally occurring bioactive proteins
• Lysozyme and other antimicrobial components
• Protein composition compared with human milk
• Digestibility
• Potential effects on the gut microbiome
• Nutritional applications for individuals who cannot tolerate certain other milks

While this research is ongoing, much remains to be learned. More high-quality human studies are needed before drawing conclusions about specific health outcomes.

From One Family's Journey to a Community Mission

What began as one mother's determination to help her daughter eventually grew into something much larger.

Today, Saundra's work includes:

• Oklahoma Donkey Dairy
• Dulce de Donké
• Hee Haw for Health
• Save Oklahoma Farms & Ranches

Together, these efforts reflect her passion for education, supporting local agriculture, and helping families learn more about nutrition, farming, and wellness.

Key Takeaways

• Parents often become their child's strongest advocate.
• Curiosity and lifelong learning can play an important role in navigating complex health journeys.
• Nutrition continues to be an active area of scientific research.
• Local farms help preserve agricultural diversity and strengthen communities.
• Personal stories can inspire meaningful conversations while encouraging continued scientific investigation.

Full Transcript

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About Saundra Traywick

Saundra Traywick is the founder of Oklahoma Donkey Dairy, Dulce de Donké, Hee Haw for Health, and Save Oklahoma Farms & Ranches. Based near Luther, Oklahoma, she and her family operate one of the first and only donkey dairies in the United States.

Her journey began when her six-year-old daughter experienced a sudden onset of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) following a streptococcal infection. Determined to learn everything she could, Saundra immersed herself in research, explored nutritional approaches, and sought guidance from healthcare professionals while searching for ways to support her daughter's health.

That search eventually introduced her family to donkey milk—a food with a long history of use in many parts of the world. Historically, donkey milk has been valued for its nutritional properties and was even referenced by Hippocrates. In Europe, it has also been used as an alternative source of nourishment for infants when other options were unavailable.

Unable to find a reliable source in the United States, Saundra and her husband made an extraordinary decision—they purchased their first American Mammoth Jackstock donkeys. Today, their herd includes descendants of one of America's rarest donkey breeds, helping preserve an important piece of agricultural history while educating the public about these remarkable animals.

Beyond the dairy, Saundra has become a passionate advocate for family farms, agricultural stewardship, and health education. She founded Hee Haw for Health, a nonprofit organization that hosts educational events for families navigating childhood chronic illness and neuroinflammatory conditions, while also supporting community wellness initiatives.

She is also the founder of Save Oklahoma Farms & Ranches, an organization dedicated to protecting Oklahoma agriculture and promoting responsible land stewardship.

Saundra's work has been featured in Southern Living, Garden & Gun, and numerous television news stories. She has appeared on multiple health podcasts, including FitRx with Dr. Greg Dennis and The Autocommunity Podcast, where she shares her family's journey, discusses the history of donkey milk, and advocates for informed conversations about nutrition, agriculture, and wellness.

Today, Saundra continues to educate families through Oklahoma Donkey Dairy while encouraging curiosity, resilience, and hope for those navigating complex health journeys. 

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@oklahomaDonkeyDairy
@DulceDeDonke
@SaveOklahomaFarmsAndRanches
@HeeHawForHealth

Learn More

To learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, explore:

• Understanding PANDAS and PANS
• The history and nutritional composition of donkey milk
• Supporting local agriculture and family farms
• Upcoming events from Oklahoma Donkey Dairy and Hee Haw for Health

About Truth in Health

Truth in Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering individuals through thoughtful conversations about nutrition, agriculture, wellness, and emerging health research. Our goal is to foster informed discussion by sharing diverse perspectives, current science, and real-life experiences while encouraging listeners to work with qualified healthcare professionals when making health decisions.

Educational & Medical Disclaimer

The information presented in this article and podcast is intended for educational purposes only. Guest experiences are personal and should not be interpreted as scientific proof or medical advice. References to foods, nutrition, or emerging research are provided to encourage informed discussion and should not be interpreted as claims that any food or dietary ingredient diagnoses, treats, cures, or prevents disease. Individuals should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding medical concerns and before making changes to diet, treatment, or medications.