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 year, we have been developed our outdoor spaces on both our primary and secondary sites.
At The Elland Primary site 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 also have a family of guinea pigs that pupils help to maintain, and interact with on a daily basis.
On our secondary site we have an academy hamster and a therapy dog in training, both of which are used as part of our therapeutic interventions, supporting students in resetting their emotions