From lambs to donkeys to pigs, the animals at York House School are helping pupils to adopt and model positive behaviour. Head Jon Gray explains why all schools should consider ‘animal therapy’


Many schools today are recognising the important role that on-site animals can play in boosting and modelling positive behaviour. Animals can also be hugely beneficial in encouraging the development of empathy and tolerance in children, steering them away from an egocentric perspective.

There is a great poster that says: “Be the person your dog thinks you are.” Our domestic animals and pets look to us to be the very best version of ourselves, and they love us for that. When the animal makes that expectation clear and gives affection and positivity in response, it helps to shape the child into that positive and mature image of who they might be.

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