animal-assisted therapy

Enhancing children’s lives and education with dogs

 
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Animal-assisted therapy projects are scientifically proven to have a positive impact on the happiness, emotional well-being and brain functionality of children. Plus, animals can promote kindness and empathy in children, which is fundamental in helping create a more compassionate future for all.

We encourage the wider reach of animal-assisted therapy projects to positively impact children, particularly outside the UK, where many children live in fear of dogs and therefore do not understand the value of building these incredible bonds.

We also run our own ‘Dogs in Schools’ programme with our network of Underdog Therapy Dogs, who work across the country in schools delivering sessions to children teaching life lessons encouraging kindness, compassion and positivity.

Reading to dogs
We provide sessions focused on supported reading. Reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence. The calming effect the presence of dogs has on children and the fact that dogs listen without judgement, make this a comforting environment helping to nurture a child's enthusiasm for reading. This approach provides the confidence needed to read aloud.

We also partner with animal therapy organisations globally to promote the positive impact that dogs have on children, in particular we aim to work with:

  • Underprivileged children and orphans.

  • Children with learning difficulties.

  • Children suffering from mental, emotional, or physical challenges.