English School Uses Therapy Animals for Autistic Students

Teachers at a school for autistic students have begun using animal therapy with the children in a classroom setting. Springfields Academy, in Calne in southwestern England, matched students with animals according to their behavior. For example, BBC reported that quieter students were given rabbits to look after, while louder students were assigned goats. Cara Mead, a teacher, said that the animal pathway program has proven very successful with the students.

“We’ve realised as we’ve gone on that students who have animal therapy are calmer in class for the rest of the day,” said Mead. “We did take them into classrooms but that made a bit of a mess – the lambs had to wear nappies.”

“Some children will come to have a sensory experience, others will want to come and learn – they’re like sponges learning about the animals,” she added.

The students seem to love the program as well. BBC reported that sixteen-year-old Jake said, “The animals make us feel calmer, but they have eaten some of our textbooks.”

“Three years ago I was struggling in school, I never turned up to any of my lessons and wouldn’t pay attention.

“Ever since then I’ve realised school is important and I’ve enjoyed classes a lot more since working with animals,” he added.

There’s no question that therapy animals are some of the world’s most unheralded heroes. The ability of other species to help heal their human friends is nothing short of miraculous. And help, they do.

Source: The Dodo/Youtube

From children’s hospitals to nursing homes to veteran centers, therapy animals do good work at all kinds of facilities and with all kinds of patients. These relationships benefit the animals and humans, both and often open people’s eyes to the amazing abilities of animals beyond traditional roles as household pets.

Check out these 8 Amazing Therapy Animals and Their Stories!

Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

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• 8 Amazing Therapy Animals and Their Stories
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• The Amazing Healing Power of Animals! The Story of Kandu and Lucy, Armless Therapy Dogs (VIDEO)

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