Development of animal-assisted therapy in the “Animals” petting zooEach of us in one way or another communicates with pets in our lives. And everyone knows and feels the beneficial effect that natural factors have on the human body in the form of direct communication with living beings. Possessing intelligence, a person has a unique opportunity to reflect on what is happening to him and around him. Understanding what he feels at one time or another, how he builds relationships, overcomes obstacles, what he strives for, helps him enjoy life. A person has everything. You just need to help it open up. Nature is presented as a powerful and self-regulating force, ecological wisdom consists of cooperation with nature, and not in attempts to dominate it. Ignoring natural impulses exposes a person to the risk of a neurotic violation of the awareness of his own existence, as well as the awareness of his presence in the world. Work with a psychologist - hard, painstaking work; in order to see the full result, you need to be patient, desire and time. The reward is a feeling of fullness of life, its awareness and the opportunity to be who you are. Why is animal-assisted therapy so important today? This is an alternative way of teaching children. Animal-assisted therapy is one of the few methods that most fully and energetically allows us to return to our roots, to the earth, to nature, to simplicity and kindness. By caring for an animal, caring for, observing and studying its habits, learning and interacting with it, both a child and an adult learn responsibility, love, compassion, his heart thaws and is filled with true sincere love. When stroking a cat or hamster, hand motor skills develop. And when the baby interacts with the dog, gives it any commands, he develops speech, communicative function, and gains social confidence. Communication with animals develops both imaginative thinking and the need for creativity in children. Also, for “special” kids, animal therapy is a great way to learn how to help another living creature, to show altruism. Subsequently, our clients and zoo guests transfer this love into their normal daily life, which allows them to cope with many difficulties of unresolved problems. Communication with animals consists of many components - physical, psychological and emotional. All of them are necessary for the full development of the child. It is worth noting that cats, dogs, raccoons, and guinea pigs are not treated in the classical sense. Animal-assisted therapy is rather a method of correction and rehabilitation, which should be combined with additional specialists who restore and develop the child. Animal-assisted therapy can be undirected (not controlled, not regulated) and directed. The conditions of our zoo allow the development of both of these directions. Non-directed animal-assisted therapy is communication with animals, allowing the use of this natural factor for beneficial psychological, socio-psychological, and pedagogical effects. The animal is used as a motivational (attractive) object. At first glance, simple tactile contact with small animals is of great importance in a child’s life, especially in the living conditions of a metropolis. It charges you with positive emotions, joy, and energy. Watching fish calms the nervous system and activates minimal movements, which greatly helps children with severe lesions of the musculoskeletal system. Also, specialists from the “Animals as Toys” petting zoo conduct special classes on targeted animal therapy - this is communication with animals whose preparation (training) allows solve specific correctional and advisory problems. The animal is used as a motivational object and as an active assistant in the correction process. Due to their high abilities for physiological empathy, animals are faster and more objective than humans in assessing fatigue, anxiety, uncertainty,.