Animal Therapy
Numerous studies have shown the impact and benefit of animal-assisted interventions in schools. By introducing animals in to schools, a range of moral, spiritual and educational benefits for the child can be observed.
Pets in schools have been found to:
- Motivate pupils to learn and think
- Encourage respect for life
- Foster a sense of empathy and responsibility in children
- Teach children how to nurture, care for and love all life
- Lead to the development of hobbies and potential careers in animal care
- Improve academic achievement
Over the last two years, we have worked with the RHS to developed our outdoor spaces.
At The Elland Academy we have been developing a vegetable plot and garden area on which we are housing a small flock of bantams that we have hatched from eggs. We have a member of support staff trained in therapeutic horticulture, which is offered as a weekly session during enrichment time.
Alongside our chickens, we have Reggie our therapy dog, which are used as part of our therapeutic interventions, supporting students in resetting their emotions.