Animal-Assisted Learning
An Educator's Guide
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 23. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
174 pages
978-1-041-09276-6 (ISBN)
Description
Animal-Assisted Learning is an essential guide to transforming teaching practices through the integration of animals into educational settings.
The book explores how animals can significantly enhance cognitive, emotional, and social development, turning education into an engaging, life-affirming experience. Packed with professional wisdom, chapters:
Delve into the psychological benefits of animal therapy that support mental health, particularly for children with special educational needs or those in early years settings.
Cover the practicalities of bringing animals into your environment, from risk assessments to ethical considerations, ensuring a safe and enriching space for all.
Contain a wealth of real-life case studies illustrating the transformational impact of animal-assisted learning in a range of settings.
Combining a theoretical background with detailed practical guidance, this book offers a new way of doing things. It is an essential, inspiring resource for all early years and primary educators, SEND practitioners, care workers and anyone passionate about making learning inclusive, effective, and joyful for every child.
The book explores how animals can significantly enhance cognitive, emotional, and social development, turning education into an engaging, life-affirming experience. Packed with professional wisdom, chapters:
Delve into the psychological benefits of animal therapy that support mental health, particularly for children with special educational needs or those in early years settings.
Cover the practicalities of bringing animals into your environment, from risk assessments to ethical considerations, ensuring a safe and enriching space for all.
Contain a wealth of real-life case studies illustrating the transformational impact of animal-assisted learning in a range of settings.
Combining a theoretical background with detailed practical guidance, this book offers a new way of doing things. It is an essential, inspiring resource for all early years and primary educators, SEND practitioners, care workers and anyone passionate about making learning inclusive, effective, and joyful for every child.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Professional Practice & Development
Illustrations
46 Farbfotos bzw. farbige Rasterbilder, 9 s/w Tabellen, 46 farbige Abbildungen
9 Tables, black and white; 46 Halftones, color; 46 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 170 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
329 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-09276-6 (9781041092766)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€224.50
Not yet published
E-Book
02/2026
Routledge
€32.99
Available for download
E-Book
02/2026
Routledge
€32.99
Available for download
Persons
Jenny Phillips currently works as a teacher and has qualifications in Farm and Animal Therapy and an MA in Inclusive Education, specifically focusing on the therapeutic use of animals with children who have SEN to help education, development, growth, health and wellbeing. Jenny has previously worked as a Paediatric/Neonatal Nurse, SEND Practitioner, and as a lecturer in Child Health at Middlesex University.
Dawn Newman is a Communities Engagement and Membership professional with a background in project management and employability and an MSc in digital journalism. She previously worked for NCFE, where she was responsible for the systems, strategy and forward direction of CACHE Alumni, a membership organisation for Care, Health, Early Years and Education.
Dawn Newman is a Communities Engagement and Membership professional with a background in project management and employability and an MSc in digital journalism. She previously worked for NCFE, where she was responsible for the systems, strategy and forward direction of CACHE Alumni, a membership organisation for Care, Health, Early Years and Education.
Content
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ABOUT THIS BOOK: HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
CHAPTER 1: THE EDUCATIONAL POWER OF ANIMALS
THE HEART OF ANIMAL ASSISTED EDUCATION
THE HOLISTIC BENEFITS
UNDERSTANDING THE SENSORY CONNECTION
THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
COGNITIVE AND ACADEMIC SKILLS
SENSORY AND PHYSICAL BENEFITS
BEHAVIOUR AND WELLBEING
EXAMPLE USE CASES FOR CROSS-CURRICULAR INTEGRATION
CHAPTER 2: ANIMAL THERAPY IN ACTION: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL POWER OF ANIMALS IN EDUCATION SETTINGS
REGULATING EMOTIONS THROUGH ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATION FOCUS
SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE SYNDROME TREATMENT
SKUNKS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA
CHAPTER 3: INTRODUCING CHILDREN TO ANIMALS AND FARM THERAPY (A PROCESS)
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
BRINGING THE VISION TO LIFE
STEP-BY-STEP
START WITH WHY
PREP AND PARENTS
BUILDING ROUTINES
MAINTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT
ANIMAL INTRODUCTIONS CHECKLIST
KEEPING THE THEORY IN MIND
CHAPTER 4: RISK ASSESSING ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
CHAPTER 5: THE BORING STUFF: BUSINESS CASING, PLANNING, AND OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING
WHAT IS A BUSINESS CASE?
THE PRINCIPLES OF A BUSINESS CASE
HOW TO USE OBJECTIONS
BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS CASE
CHAPTER 6: FARM SCHOOL IS OPEN! NOW WHAT?
RIVERSIDE EDUCATION: A WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH TO ANIMAL-ASSISTED LEARNING
EMZI MILLS-FRATER: BUILDING AN ANIMAL EDUCATION CENTRE
LESLEY FORRESTER: NORTHERN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPIES AND ACTIVITIES (NAATA)
JAYNE HAIGH: GOXHILL MEADOWS HEARTS AND MINDS
JENNY PHILLIPS: STARTING FROM SCRATCH
RYAN PERRY: A FIRST-GENERATION FARMER WITH A PASSION FOR RARE BREEDS AND PUBLIC SERVICE
JOSH: NOAH'S A.R.T.
CEDARS SCHOOL, GATESHEAD: ANIMAL-ASSISTED WELLBEING INTERVENTIONS
MATTHEW COLLEY: A SCHOOL-BASED PRACADEMIC
CHAPTER 7: NO ROOM? DON'T WORRY! WAYS TO INCORPORATE ANIMAL LEARNING WITHOUT ANIMAL CARE RESPONSIBILITIES
IN FOCUS - REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES
CHAPTER 8: FAQS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
GENERAL QUESTIONS
BEST ANIMALS FOR DIFFERENT SETTINGS
COMMON ISSUES AND TROUBLESHOOTING
UK LAW AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
CHAPTER 9: FINDING (OR INVENTING) YOUR OWN CAREER PATH WITH CHILDREN AND ANIMALS
MATTHEW COLLEY
ABIDE ZENENGA
JENNY PHILLIPS
INDEX
ABOUT THIS BOOK: HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
CHAPTER 1: THE EDUCATIONAL POWER OF ANIMALS
THE HEART OF ANIMAL ASSISTED EDUCATION
THE HOLISTIC BENEFITS
UNDERSTANDING THE SENSORY CONNECTION
THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
COGNITIVE AND ACADEMIC SKILLS
SENSORY AND PHYSICAL BENEFITS
BEHAVIOUR AND WELLBEING
EXAMPLE USE CASES FOR CROSS-CURRICULAR INTEGRATION
CHAPTER 2: ANIMAL THERAPY IN ACTION: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL POWER OF ANIMALS IN EDUCATION SETTINGS
REGULATING EMOTIONS THROUGH ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATION FOCUS
SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE SYNDROME TREATMENT
SKUNKS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA
CHAPTER 3: INTRODUCING CHILDREN TO ANIMALS AND FARM THERAPY (A PROCESS)
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
BRINGING THE VISION TO LIFE
STEP-BY-STEP
START WITH WHY
PREP AND PARENTS
BUILDING ROUTINES
MAINTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT
ANIMAL INTRODUCTIONS CHECKLIST
KEEPING THE THEORY IN MIND
CHAPTER 4: RISK ASSESSING ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
CHAPTER 5: THE BORING STUFF: BUSINESS CASING, PLANNING, AND OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING
WHAT IS A BUSINESS CASE?
THE PRINCIPLES OF A BUSINESS CASE
HOW TO USE OBJECTIONS
BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS CASE
CHAPTER 6: FARM SCHOOL IS OPEN! NOW WHAT?
RIVERSIDE EDUCATION: A WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH TO ANIMAL-ASSISTED LEARNING
EMZI MILLS-FRATER: BUILDING AN ANIMAL EDUCATION CENTRE
LESLEY FORRESTER: NORTHERN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPIES AND ACTIVITIES (NAATA)
JAYNE HAIGH: GOXHILL MEADOWS HEARTS AND MINDS
JENNY PHILLIPS: STARTING FROM SCRATCH
RYAN PERRY: A FIRST-GENERATION FARMER WITH A PASSION FOR RARE BREEDS AND PUBLIC SERVICE
JOSH: NOAH'S A.R.T.
CEDARS SCHOOL, GATESHEAD: ANIMAL-ASSISTED WELLBEING INTERVENTIONS
MATTHEW COLLEY: A SCHOOL-BASED PRACADEMIC
CHAPTER 7: NO ROOM? DON'T WORRY! WAYS TO INCORPORATE ANIMAL LEARNING WITHOUT ANIMAL CARE RESPONSIBILITIES
IN FOCUS - REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES
CHAPTER 8: FAQS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
GENERAL QUESTIONS
BEST ANIMALS FOR DIFFERENT SETTINGS
COMMON ISSUES AND TROUBLESHOOTING
UK LAW AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
CHAPTER 9: FINDING (OR INVENTING) YOUR OWN CAREER PATH WITH CHILDREN AND ANIMALS
MATTHEW COLLEY
ABIDE ZENENGA
JENNY PHILLIPS
INDEX