Banks the Therapy Donkey

21/12/2025

What a super christmassy time at St Peter’s Bekesbourne yesterday!
We followed the stars ⭐️ & entered the church full of beautiful cribs, festive food & mulled wine plus a cup of tea for Banks.
He stood like a pro having photos taken with all the children and adults. Let’s hope it’s an annual celebration 🥳

17/12/2025

Banks has been a busy lad visiting care homes and enjoying all the fuss and attention. There’s something special about his gentleness. He knows when people are frail or need some donkey love ❤️🫏

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

Banks attended a carol service at St Michael’s Care Home in Westgate and spread his special donkey vibes. Everyone loved him, especially those bedbound in their rooms. Thank you for the invitation Vanessa.

07/12/2025

Banks got a mention on BBC Radio 2 Good Morning Sunday!❤️🫏

05/12/2025

Banks visited Copperfield Court Care Home in Broadstairs today for the first time.
What a lovely new, spacious home with lots of in-house facilities.
He managed to use the lift and see those folks in their bedrooms before returning to the ground floor and the Christmas Fair and live music.
He had his traditional cup of tea and sliced vegetable treats plus some particularly tasty ginger nut biscuits.
An afternoon of smiles and cuddles 🥰

05/12/2025

We have lots of visits planned for the next 2 weeks culminating in this festive event at St Peter’s Church Bekesbourne.
It’ll be a beautiful display of Christmas Cribs with food and drink and donkey cuddles 🥰🌟🫏🎄⭐️✨

30/10/2025

It’s always lovely seeing the smiley faces when Banks visits the residents and staff at Meadow View Care Home in Hersden.
One gentleman was especially attracted to Banks’ therapeutic vibe and joined us on our walk round the bedrooms upstairs.
The new pale beige carpet throughout was a concern but Banks was amazing keeping his bodily functions under control for the 90 minutes we were inside! 😇🫏

24/10/2025

Banks is very flattered!

Artist friend Kay Stewart has painted his portrait for Christmas ❤️ 🎄
She will have cards available shortly and I’ll post a link when they’ve been printed.

02/10/2025

130 years ago St. Michaels Care in Westgate opened its doors for the first time to patients who were convalescing. The original owners had a donkey ferry the patients’ belongings to and from the railway station so it was apt that Banks was invited to celebrate this birthday occasion.

He was particularly honoured to meet the wonderful Betty who was 100 years young on Monday! She looked amazing with her polished nails and hair done beautifully and she was totally smitten with Banks. He of course obliged with snuggles…

The garden room had been decorated with bunting, posters and artwork featuring Banks and a barn scene backdrop.
He had a quick graze in the garden and one of the ladies gamely popped aboard him and rode him back to the lounge to great applause 😂
He ate all the sliced carrots & herb treats and then downed 2 cups of tea!
Thank you for the invite Vanessa Culliford

22/09/2025

Mondays are often ‘at home’ therapy days.
Patients and carers can visit Banks and enjoy cuddles, a drive in his exercise cart followed by a cup of tea & biscuits 😉