For most people, a ride on a donkey during a trip to the seaside is probably their closest encounter with the animal.

But a farm manager from Sheppey has revealed how interaction with donkeys – and other animals – can help growth in confidence, increase communication and reduce negative thought patterns, to name a few benefits.

Angela Edwards on the benefits of animal-assisted therapy

Angela Edwards, of Halfway, said her route into animal-assisted therapy started when she decided to take on two donkeys in need of a forever home.

"This time last year, donkeys were not on my horizon at all. My life has been turned upside down in the best way possible," she said.

When asked how she got into animal-assisted therapy, Mrs Edwards said it was "completely by accident".

The 53-year-old, a farm manager at Yew Tree Farm School in Bredgar, near Sittingbourne, was contacted last summer to see if she would like to rehome two donkeys.

On meeting the furry half brothers, Pedro and Poncho, Mrs Edwards said she fell in love and now trains them at Four Heavies Stables in Eastchurch.

"The reason I'm now doing therapy sessions with Pedro and Poncho is because a friend tagged me in a Facebook post at the end of last year about a local man, called Andy Larkin, wanting to hug a donkey as part of his bucket list.

"Of course I said yes, and Andy's visit was an emotional, yet very positive, encounter."

Mr Larkin's wife Clare explained: "Our home looks over Danley Farm and we could hear a donkey's brays all the time.

"When Andy became poorly he said he would love to hug a donkey. I remember him saying 'I love them'."

Mrs Larkin said she put something on Facebook about her husband's bucket list wish and Mrs Edwards offered an experience with Pedro and Poncho.

"Andy absolutely loved it," she said. "He hugged them both and the look on his face, he was just so relaxed and was like 'oh my god, this is wonderful'.

"It was just the most peaceful he had been for a long time. It gave him a bit of time out from everything else."

Mr Larkin, who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2020, sadly died in February this year. He was 56.

"The stables is now somewhere that we can go back to and remember him as a positive," Mrs Larkin said.

Mrs Edwards said her experience with Andy made her realise she wanted the donkeys to be more than fluffy pets, so she studied for a diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy and is undertaking Positive Psychology Practitioner training.

Now, to help Pedro and Poncho become acclimatised to meeting people, Mrs Edwards has been doing Meet, Greet and Groom experiences and Donkey Walking experiences.

She is also giving Animal Assisted Therapy sessions to children and adults.

Mrs Edwards said: "Outcomes of this type of therapy range as widely as the individual, but can be growth in confidence, increased communication, reduction in negative thought patterns, increased sense of calm, and awareness of impact of self.

"Just being with an animal has a positive effect on your blood pressure and releases happy feelings."

She added: "People can learn a range of stable skills, how to tack up a donkey, about feeding and nutrition, and walking and handling the animal.

"Some people will want to just stroke them; it's an individual choice but has physical and mental health benefits."

Mrs Edwards said she had already had positive feedback from clients – and was struggling to keep up with bookings.

"It's all been really positive so far, and it really is for anybody and everybody," she said.

"We've had adults and children, with a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, isolation, family relationships, end of life bucket lists, physical mobility issues, those who want to have a new or different life experience, are animal or donkey lovers, home-schooled children, long-term school absentees, adults with learning difficulties, and children with special needs including autism.

"Everyone, whether they have a label or not, can benefit from spending time with animals and being outdoors, having a break from their usual routine.

"We've had over 30 bookings and are just about fully booked until September when the new dates and times will be released."

She added: "I would love to take Pedro and Poncho into a care home and make somebody's life, but we haven't got a trailer yet."

Mrs Edwards said interested clients are invited for a short taster session where she will discuss their need or the need of the child, how the therapy may help, and what activities they would like to do with the donkeys.

The taster sessions are £10 for 30 minutes, and a full session is an hour at £45 or £25 for 30 minutes.

Meet, Greet and Groom experiences take a minimum of one hour for a suggested donkey care donation of £20, while Donkey Walking experiences are a minimum of an hour-and-a-half for a donkey care donation of £35.

To find out more or to book a session, send an email to pedroandponcho@gmail.com or visit the 'Pedro and Poncho' Facebook page.

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