Schools can enjoy a 40 minute to one hour session for up to 30 children at a time. A larger group can be considered, but a class sized group would get more opportunities and more from the session.

 

Children are given the opportunity to touch some of the animals and even hold the stick insects and snails if they wish. The talk is tailored to suit different year groups and they  have the opportunity to ask questions during the session. The aim of the session could be to help to combat fears and also boost confidence and encourage speaking and listening.

 

You may wish for the session to be tailored to a specific area of the curriculum, for example; a focus on adaptation, habitats or classification may be useful. You may want a focus on animal welfare which would link strongly to PSHE. All of the animals have suffered in the past as a result of human treatment or neglect. A general talk which touches on all areas can also be arranged.

 

Children can be taught 'Basic5' 

These are the 5 basic needs for animals in order for them to survive and develop. They are:

• Having a suitable environment

• Access to an appropriate diet

• The need to exhibit normal behaviour

• being housed (or not) with other animals- companionship

• They need to be given medical treatment and prevention from illness and disease.

 

 

After the session, there will be many opportunities for cross curricular links to be made based on what the children have learnt. The sessions are great for Big Write stimilus and also for Science links and PSHE.

 

 

 

Nurseries and Play Groups

 

The focus with children aged 2-4 years is more on a hands on approach with the animals and plenty of opportunities for the children to talk freely about them. The links to PSHE are very strong and the talk is based around being kind to and respecting living things.

 

Care Homes

 

The effects of animals being around the elderly, particularly those with dementia and alzeimers has proven to be beneficial in many ways. Research has shown that animals in care homes can enhance well-being in elderly residents and have a positive effect on mood. Studies also show that blood pressure and levels of anxiety are decreased when stroking a pet. Faces light up when residents see the animals and some respond well to them in comparison to how they respond to people.