More than 100,000 children are still not attending school due to both covid and school based anxiety. So what is being done to make children feel safe again? I looked into a not-so-conventional form of therapy and checked in with some furry friends of Kent Connect’s.

These four-legged friends have been reducing anxiety, calming stress and fulfilling dreams in Sittingbourne. And they go by the names of Pedro, poncho, Pablo and Le Petit Pip. 

Their owner Angela Edwards began offering therapy sessions. Visitors can meet, groom and walk the donkeys, or simply just give them a hug. Which is exactly how Angela discovered the potential her animals had. 

This slightly less conventional form of counseling has given children a place to escape the chaos of a pandemic and stress school can bring.

Providing an environment to actually interact with animals meant her service has been incredibly popular. However, in just the past week, Angela has had to cancel therapy sessions as the UK suffers from destructive storms. Hitting especially hard in the South East, Angela stayed with the donkeys throughout.

After securing the shelter and keeping the animals out of harms way, Angela can now reopen and relax with her therapy donkeys. So it leaves one question, would you try donkey therapy?