If not for the Dunalley bushfires in 2013, Tasmanian teacher Cheri Allanby may still be delivering lessons to her students in the same way that millions have done before her - standing in a classroom, whiteboard behind her, explaining simple concepts to children and hoping that the sea of young faces before her are taking it all in.
Fast forward 10 years and that classroom has moved outdoors and includes a new teaching aid – horses.
Her students are neurodiverse, experience learning difficulties, and struggle with conventional approaches to education.
But the combination of nature, a new approach to learning, and a majestic teaching aid in the form of a horse, has delivered life changing results for many children – and their parents.
In this episode of Paws for Thought, we talk to Cheri and one very happy parent - Liz Clements - who has finally found a form of animal-assisted learning that is working wonders for her two neurodiverse boys.
For more information about True Trails, visit www.truetrails.com.au
Note: While the term "animal assisted therapy" is heard in the interview, this podcast is strictly related to "equine assisted learning", which does not involve a health professional.