Animal Magic is a Care Inspectorate resource that presents examples of how children and adults in a range of care settings experience an enhanced quality of life from animals. These cases cover the lifespan of very young children to adults experiencing dementia. It is hoped that these stories will inspire others working in the care sector to incorporate animals to provide meaningful and life-enriching experiences to those in care.
The stories in Animal Magic emphasise the therapeutic benefits derived from being around and caring for animals. These include improvements in mental and physical health, reductions in feelings of isolation and loneliness, heightened displays of kindness and compassion, enhanced ability to process trauma and loss, and increased opportunities to bring together communities and generations.
Each example includes the relevant principles and standards from the Health and Social Care Standards that this particular use of animals demonstrates. For children, each example includes links to the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) wellbeing indicators of safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible, and included. Each example is also accompanied by a list of “Things to think about” before incorporating animals into care services, as well as a list of further resources to consult. These lists will be particularly helpful for care professionals who might like to incorporate animals in care but find that some residents are opposed to doing so.
To accompany Animal Magic, the Care Inspectorate has also produced 18 short documentary videos. In these videos, care staff and those in care explain the benefits animals provide. These mini-documentaries are available on YouTube.
Source
“Animal Magic,” Care Inspectorate Hub, Animal Magic | Care Inspectorate Hub. Accessed 16 November 2025.
