Learning Life

Animals as Natural Therapy’s (ANT) Learning Life program is a direct partnership between ANT and local school districts to provide Animal-Assisted Experiential Learning (AAEL) services. AAEL is a structured, goal-oriented educational approach that uses animals to enhance learning outcomes and promote student well-being in a school setting.

On the Farm Programming

Farm-based weekly programming is offered every quarter during the school year. ANT’s animals teach participants a variety of important life skills. The interactions between participant and animal are the basis of experiential learning at the farm. Self-awareness and social and emotional intelligence develop as students get immediate, honest feedback to their behavior from their animals during sessions at the farm.
The following are just some of the inter-personal skills we may explore through ANT’s Programs:
·         Boundaries: setting limits while exploring the difference between assertive and aggressive behavior.
·         Leadership: teaching fair, just and balanced guidance based on cooperation and teamwork.
·         Communication: expressing oneself clearly, honestly, and effectively while demonstrating respect for self and others; taking time to listen.
·         Teamwork: operating as a cohesive unit.
·         Trust: Taking the risk to be vulnerable while building confidence in who and what to trust.
·         Responsibility: understanding how one’s behavior affects others.
·         Diversity: creating awareness of similarities and differences among animals teaches the value of diversity.
·         Self-control: learning to de-escalate conflict and restore calm and cooperative working relationships.
·         Self-worth: handling the difficult situations that arise while working with animals builds one’s self-confidence.
Social and emotional intelligence is developed as participants observe how their actions impact their relationship with their animals. Youth gain mindfulness and self-awareness that results in compassionate relationship to others.

Email program@animalsasnaturaltherapy.org for more information!

Mobile Visits

Our Mobile ANT program brings dogs, rabbits, chickens, goats, and miniature horses to K-12 classrooms to educate students about empathy, self-awareness, healthy behaviors, emotion regulation, and more. Through hands-on animal curriculum, youth can learn important skills, reduce stress, anxiety & depression, and improve their focus & motivation to engage in school. Our animals also provide crisis support as part of the Bellingham School District Mobile Response Team (can be requested by any school).

Curriculum is created following consultation with teacher or school counselor and can be personalized to fit particular student/classroom needs. Our therapy animals are groomed prior to each visit, and handled by trained staff & volunteers. Our team is equipped to visit indoors & outdoors.

Minimum 2-week lead time required for scheduling visits. 

“Children are struggling and we need a variety of interventions to support them. Our schools would benefit from regular animal presence in schools. I personally attended several Mobile ANT visits and can attest to the comfort and stress relief they provided to students and staff.” -Chris Cochran, Director of Behavior and Mental Health at the Ferndale SD

“Thanks to you, I feel like I’m making a difference by making seniors happy by bringing animals in for the company.”
– Shuksan Middle School Student