Animal-Assisted Learning: An Educator's Guide

By Jenny Phillips and Dawn Newman

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1041092768
• ISBN13: 9781041092766
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 150 Pages