Welcome to Animal-Assisted Learning
Animals have a remarkable way of opening hearts and minds -helping children feel calmer, more curious, and more connected. Animal-Assisted Learning: An Educator’s Guide provides Animal-Assisted learning insight for teachers and educators. The book explores how these human–animal relationships can transform education to bring evidence, empathy, and joy into the classroom.
This website is where that learning continues. Created and maintained by the book’s authors, it’s a home for educators, early years professionals, and parents. If you want to bring meaningful, ethical animal experiences into their teaching and care settings, you’re in the right place.
Start by exploring the site. Join our mailing list when you’re ready. Together we can help you to integrate animals into your practice.
Create more compassionate, curious learning environments with us!
New here?
Check out our Animal-Assisted FAQs for answers to common questions about animal-assisted learning and how to get started.
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From the blog
Find the latest blog posts, articles and resources from Jenny and Dawn
Posting new insight, tips and resources every week
About Us
Jenny Phillips is an educator and practitioner. She specialises in how animals can support children’s cognitive, emotional and social development in educational settings. Jenny’s work focuses on creating inclusive, life‑affirming learning experiences, particularly in early years and primary environments. Jenny is committed to translating research on human–animal interaction into practical approaches. She hopes that teachers, SEND practitioners and care workers can use these in real classrooms and care settings.
Dawn Newman is a community‑focused educator and facilitator. She has a strong interest in how safe, supportive environments help people to learn, grow and connect. Alongside her work in community building and learning design, Dawn has developed guidance on animal‑assisted learning for educators and families. She is passionate about helping practitioners feel confident. Dawn helps plan animals into educational spaces in ways that are ethical, well‑planned and beneficial for both children and animals.
Together, Jenny and Dawn wrote Animal‑Assisted Learning: An Educator’s Guide. It’s a practical, evidence‑informed resource for anyone interested in bringing animals into educational and care settings. Combining theoretical background with detailed case studies and guidance, the book supports early years and primary staff, SEND practitioners, care workers and parents. It provides support to design animal‑assisted experiences that are engaging, inclusive and grounded in best practice.
Animal-Assisted Learning: An Educator’s Guide is available now – see where to buy.