Animals in Hands & SEND
Improving Mental Health & Wellbeing
Those of us who own pets know they make us happy! At Animals in Hands, we provide structured Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) designed to support emotional wellbeing in schools, the workplace, and the wider community across the UK.
How Can We Support You?
what we do
The Impact of Animal Interaction
Working with animals provides a unique, non-threatening environment for personal growth. Our sessions are proven to:
Improving social, emotional, and mental health through tactile engagement.
Helping individuals overcome fears and master new skills.
Breaking down barriers for those who find it difficult to express themselves.
Developing a deeper understanding of animal welfare and social responsibility.
Animal Care
Specialist SEND & Alternative Provision Support
We understand that traditional learning environments aren’t always the right fit for everyone. Animals in Hands offers specialist support for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Alternative Provision (AP) settings:
Our diverse range of species offers unique textures and sounds, perfect for sensory-seeking or sensory-sensitive students.
The presence of a calm animal, such as a tortoise or a rabbit, can help de-escalate high-anxiety situations and provide a "grounding" focal point.
We tailor our approach for students with Autism, ADHD, and PDA, allowing them to engage with the animals at their own pace without the pressure of traditional social cues.
For students with speech and language challenges, animals provide a powerful way to communicate and bond without the need for words.
Building resilience
Supporting UK Schools & Students
With the rising focus on student mental health, our visits provide a vital resource. We support children dealing with anxiety and depression, helping them build the resilience needed to succeed.
Curriculum Links
We link our animal encounters to Geography and Science, helping schools meet National Curriculum goals through “live” learning.
Community Cohesion
We facilitate “Intergenerational Sessions” between students and local senior citizens to promote local harmony.
