Animal-assisted Interventions in Students of Primary Schools

Abstract

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) have gained increasing attention for their potential benefits in primary school education. This review explores existing literature on the use of animals— particularly dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs—in classroom settings with typically developing children, focusing on their influence on academic skills, emotional well-being, social behavior, and stress reduction. The selected studies were included based on criteria including in-classroom implementation and relevance to general primary school populations. Findings reveal that animals act as powerful motivators for learning and emotional support. Programs such as Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) show consistent improvements in reading comprehension and engagement, particularly among students with learning difficulties. Emotional and social benefits were also evident; students participating in canine-assisted education demonstrated enhanced emotional comprehension, while classroom dynamics improved with reductions in aggression and hyperactivity. Furthermore, interventions with animals significantly reduced stress markers like cortisol and alleviated state and trait anxiety—especially in transitional phases such as the preschool-to-school shift. Despite these promising results, methodological limitations—such as small sample sizes, lack of standardization, and minimal consideration for animal welfare— highlight the need for further research. Future studies should adopt rigorous, longitudinal designs and explore the mechanisms behind AAIs’ effectiveness. Cross-cultural research, ethical guidelines, and integration into school curricula are also recommended. In conclusion, AAIs offer a promising, multidimensional approach to enhancing child development in primary education. With more robust evidence and ethical implementation, AAIs could become a valuable component of inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Keywords: Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI), Primary Education, Emotional Development, Reading Comprehension, Stress Reduction

Citation

Vasiliki Chatzipli. Animal-assisted Interventions in Students of Primary Schools. WebLog J Pediatr. wjp.2025.e2101.