Sessions focusing on improving mental health, behaviour, engagement and confidence

Sessions can focus on a wide range of areas; sessions with a focus on improving mental health, improving behaviour and engagement and developing confidence and self esteem will be based around the individual or groups interests (from grooming the animals to finding out facts about the animals or making animal toys and treats) while encouraging them to come out of themselves and their comfort zones with the animals as the focus.

Research shows that effective engagement can lead to increased attendance and be linked to higher academic achievement and to a positive effect on pupil’s attitude to learning and general behaviour. Having the animals to focus on enables each individual to engage in activities, develop empathy for other living things, communicate and work together with others all without the pressure and focus being directly on them. Taking away the pressure to perform, while giving them the responsibility for and the opportunity to build a relationship with another living being can have massive positive effects on behaviour. During the sessions we will also learn about the individual animals, different species and breeds and how to care for them.