Ethical Animal Encounters for Children with SEND
Animals are a great way to engage young people – especially those with special educational needs or disabilities.
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Engaging, adapted sessions and resources that support learning, communication, wellbeing and confidence for every child. Our inclusive workshops can be adapted to suit the learning style within your class and cater for any pupils with sensory issues. ​
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Supporting Every Learner
Our SEND services are designed to meet children where they are. We bring the power of animals into learning to support development, engagement and wellbeing.
Communication Support
Encourages speech, interaction and social communication
Cognitive Development
Stimulates curiosity, memory and understanding
Sensory Engagement
Hands-on experiences that support sensory processing
Physical Benefits
Promotes motor skills, focus and physical interaction
Tailored for SEND Settings
SEN Schools, Groups & Units
We work with teachers to ensure sessions are ideal.
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Ages 4-19 years
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Curriculum-linked sessions
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Small group or 1:1 options
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Visual supports & PECS available
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Therapeutic and educational focus
Children with Learning Disabilities
We deliver safe sessions that are meaningful for each child.
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Fun & accessible animal encounters
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Build independence & confidence
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Encourages participation
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Supports social interaction
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Flexible to individual needs
Benefits of Animal Encounters for SEND Children
Improved Mood & Wellbeing
Reduced Stress
& Anxiety
Encourages Communication
Creates Meaningful Memories
Builds Confidence & Self-esteem
OUR WORKSHOPS:
DURATION: 45 - 55 mins
OVERVIEW: How slimy is a snail? What does a snake feel like? How far can a frog jump? Get up-close and hands-on with our unique Animal Explorer workshop.
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Guided by your expert ZooLab Ranger, your class will meet a menagerie of reptiles, mammals, inverts, amphibians and arachnids whilst hitting curriculum outcomes.
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This fun and interactive workshop perfectly exemplifies why ZooLab is WILD about animals.
Animal Explorer
All ages and abilities
DURATION: 45 - 55 mins
OVERVIEW:
What is a habitat? What types of habitat are there? Why do habitats matter? So many questions answered!
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​ZooLab’s Habitat workshop introduces pupils to different habitats from around the world: including tropical rainforests, deserts, polar regions and oceans. This hands-on workshop looks at three great survivors; rats, cockroaches and humans and considers how and why they have survived.
Habitats
All ages and abilities
DURATION: 45 - 55 mins
OVERVIEW: Minibeasts have existed for around 550 million years and make up approximately 97% of creatures on Earth! In fact, the UK alone is home to 25,000 different species - these little creatures are quite a big deal. Let’s look at Minibeasts together!
During ZooLab’s workshop, children get a fun introduction to invertebrates and classification. They get to question, investigate and learn about scientific discovery.
This workshop answers all the big questions such as - What do Minibeasts have inside them? Are there any similarities with us?
Minibeasts
All ages and abilities
DURATION: 45 - 55 mins
OVERVIEW: We’re going to use our senses to meet our animal friends (except taste (yuck!)) and find out how they use their senses. How do they look, sound, smell and what they feel like?
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Children learn how animals use their senses within their habitats. How do animals perceive their surroundings and how well are their senses adapted to them? Children make hands-on discoveries of textures and senses in an animal handling experience that is suitable for everyone from new intake to SEN classes.
Senses and Textures
​All ages and abilities
DURATION: 45 - 55 mins
OVERVIEW: Food chains are a very delicate balance - each species is dependent on the others around it. If something upsets that balance then drastic things can happen!
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This workshop looks at feeding connections (what-eats-what) in an ecological community. We examine herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and learn how to classify non-living and living things. Discover where energy comes from and what can cause the disruption of a food web.
Predators, Prey and Food Chains
All ages and abilities
DURATION: 45 - 55 mins
OVERVIEW:
A very important rule for living things is that they need to stay alive (or else they wouldn’t be living things)!
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This workshop emphasises what we need to do to look after animals, plants and the planet. Exploring the diverse requirements of a range of ZooLab animals, we discover that often creatures need the same core things to survive; food, water, oxygen and protection/shelter.
Using active learning techniques and building on prior knowledge this value driven show in teaches respect for all living things.
Caring for Living Things
All ages and abilities
Our SEND Resources and Products
A range of resources designed to support learning, communication and inclusion.
Social Stories
Visual storyboards to prepare and support learners.
Visual Timetables
Helps children understand routines and transitions.
Communication Cards
PECS supports language and choice making.
Activity Packs
Hands-on activities and worksheets.
Why Choose ZooLab?
We're the UK's #1 for ethical animal encounters, trusted by schools, support groups and organisations nationwide. ​
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Fully licensed and ensured
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Expert Rangers and animal handlers
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Animals ethically sourced and cared for
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DBS checked and safeguarding trained
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Risk assessed and fully managed sessions
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Supporting conservation and education
"Jack was fantastic in his delivery to our SEN children. He explained each of the animals clearly and with fascinating details so that all children were engaged and could access the workshops."
CHAFFINCH BROOKE SCHOOL
WE CHANGE OUR PRESENTING STLYE BASED ON YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS
We all know that too much information can be overwhelming! Our presenters cater to the audience and will break down the information into small chunks to suit all learning abilities.
WE WORK WITH YOU TO DETERMINE YOUR GROUPS NEEDS
We ensure our session sizes are small to allow us to cater for all levels of learning and physical disabilities. If you need smaller group sizes, let us know what would work best for you.
