Animals at St Luke's
St Luke's are one of the few SEN schools that incorporate animal assisted therapy into their curriculum.
What Is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy can improve young people's mental, physical, social and emotional functioning. Depending on the needs of the child many different animals can be used in therapy, including horses (also called equine-assisted therapy), dogs (also called canine-assisted therapy), guinea pigs, rabbits and reptiles to name but a few.
It is more than simply spending time with an animal, animal-assisted therapy involves specific therapeutic goals, strategies and outcomes measures. Therapeutic experiences can include walking, brushing, petting and caring for an animal, as well as processing the experience of trying to achieve a given task.
What are the benefits of animal assisted therapy ?
There is a strong bond between animals and people. Animals are accepting, non-threatening and non-judgmental, making it easier for people to open up. Some of the benefits of animal-assisted therapy include:
- Improved fine motor skills
- Improved balance
- Increased focus and attention
- Increased self-esteem and ability to care for oneself
- Reduced anxiety, grief and isolation
- Reduced blood pressure, depression, and risk of heart attack or stroke
- Improved willingness to be involved in a therapeutic program or group activity
- Increased trust, empathy and teamwork
- Greater self-control
- Enhanced problem-solving skills
- Reduced need for medication
- Improved social skills
Because many children and teens enjoy working with animals, animal-assisted therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have difficulty accessing their emotions or expressing themselves in talk therapy.
Mr Matt Colley - Animal Care Manager
Ms Zoe Rose - Animal Care Assistant
Meet some of our animals.......
Maple (the Lion)
Edward & Issac our Donkeys
Joe the Parrot
Lucy the Goat
Haribo the Chameleon
Wasabi the Crab
Mufassa, Peppermint, Polo & Flump the Rabbits
Banana the chicken
Lissa the Corn Snake
Aero the Budgie