1. 1st Special Nursery school of Patras, Greece
Animal Integration in the Educational Programme- ZORO 1st YEAR FEEDBACK
1st Special Nursery school of Patras, Greece

2. HOW DID THE CHILDREN REACT TO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY
Visit to a VET clinic – December 2015

3. HOW DID THE CHILDREN REACT TO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY
Visit to a VET clinic – December 2015
►Initial contact with pet animals
►Different reactions
►All curious
►Familiarized at the end
►Possitive experience for all

4. HOW DID THE CHILDREN REACT TO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY
A visit to an animal (dog) shelter - January 2016
►Different behaviors
►One way communication
►Learn how to treat animals
►Recognize stress signs
►Overall possitive reaction

5. HOW DID THE CHILDREN REACT TO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY
Visit of an AAT organization at school - February 2016

6. HOW DID THE CHILDREN REACT TO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY
Visit of an AAT organization at school - February 2016
► All children involved and got more familiar
► Got and expressed information about animals
► Showed signs of calmness and reduction of stress
► Seemed ready for a real time session with animals

7. HOW DID THE CHILDREN REACT TO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY
Workshop activities with animals, READ Programme: April - May 2016
► Curriculum areas related
related or with the help
of animals
taxonomy,
pre-math skills,
daily living routines,
turn taking, manners, orientation,
mix and match,
logical sequences

8. TEACHERS’ COMMENTS ► A new topic
► A fresh point of view to the process of teaching
► Although not familiar with the help of animals in the educational program, and they were very enthusiastic to learn more.
► High level of attendance during the sessions
► Very keen to implement the new ways of teaching in the class.
The activities that were most useful to them, were those connected to the reduction of stress while treating the animals. The routines of producing positive behaviors and reward related to the animals were also popular. And of course several curriculum skills that could be implemented with the help of the animals.

9. Any progress in children´s performance after implementation of activities with animals
At the end of the first year of the project implementation, I would say yes, there was some progress.
Animals helped the children to have one more positive “tool” for their education and behavior progress.
Especially positive were the benefits for the autistic children. They liked very much to come in contact with the animals and showed significant signs of calmness and behavior improvement.
Especially one of the autistic children, in a visit to the horse rehabilitation center, showed so much positive behavior during the interaction with the horse, that his parents decided to give him regular sessions during the next months.

10. Any progress in children´s performance after implementation of activities with animals
Child’s Name:
Alex Neza
Date of Birth:
29 –
Facilitator:
Katerina Tarnara
Summary of Background OR Details of Previous Session:
Alex has been diagnosed having moderate to severe autism and balance problems. Due to autism, he has severe communication problems, does not cooperate with peers at all and has a very limited communication with adults. He likes more to be alone, to interact with the computer or with dummy animals at the play corner of the school. He can walk alone, but sometimes he falls down suddenly, without a certain reason (obstacles ect). Seems that his brain does not give the right commands (?). He can not perform all the times, the physical exercises when working with the physiotherapist. His coordination and fine motor skills are very weak and limited also.
The idea is to help him to interact with a real animal – a horse, due to the benefits that this interaction has been proved to happen for the autistic children. Also, riding a horse will help him to improve his balance and focus abilities.
Contact:
Melpomeni Kordistou
Session
1 of 6
Key Goals
1. Social Contact (Team work and co-operation)
2. Cognitive benefits
3. Balance
4. Coordination
TIME
ACTIVITY, ANIMAL(S) & EQUIPMENT
KEY GOAL
MEASURE/COMMENT
0.05
Alex is introduced to Paris the brown horse 2 H2
Alex is encouraged to initiate contact, rubbing and stroking Paris
0.10
Alex is encouraged to prepare and feed treats (carrots) 6 H1
Cognitive skills, interaction with the animal and social interaction with the adults. Measurement if he can collect the carrots
0.15
Alex is preparing food and put water into bucket
H12
Cognitive skills and social interaction with the adults. Measurement of the ability to finish the job
0.20
Alex fills up the hey net
H22
Cognitive skills and social interaction with the adults. Measurement of the ability to finish the job
0.25
Alex is looking at the variation of the horse (size, shape, colour) 3
H14
He is aided in social rehabilitation by communicating with the adults and engagement with the horse
0.30
Mounted exercises 1 H4
He is sitting and lying on the horse’s back. Improving balance and coordination
Success or difficulties are recorded.
0.35
He is riding the horse when moving slowly. Improving balance
0.40 H9
He is working with obstacles. Improving balance.