Mobile ANT is a community-based animal-assisted program offered by Animals as Natural Therapy that brings therapeutic animal connections directly to people who are unable to access services at the farm. The program is designed to increase equity and access to animal-assisted support for elders, individuals with disabilities, youth, veterans, and people receiving medical, hospice, or residential care. By traveling to partner sites throughout the community, Mobile ANT removes barriers related to transportation, mobility, health status, and institutional setting.
Mobile ANT operates on the understanding that access to animals is not equally distributed and that many individuals who would benefit most from animal connection are least able to seek it out. Through partnerships with assisted living facilities, memory care units, hospice programs, schools, shelters, and community organizations, Mobile ANT delivers low-barrier, relationship-centered experiences that support emotional well-being, social connection, and quality of life.
Visits are facilitated by trained staff and carefully selected therapy animals whose temperament and welfare are well matched to mobile work. Animals are prepared for travel and supported by strict safety, hygiene, and animal welfare protocols. Each visit is intentionally structured but responsive to the needs of the setting and the individuals present. Activities may include gentle interaction, observation, touch when appropriate, conversation, and shared moments of connection that invite calm, engagement, and joy.
Mobile ANT is particularly impactful in healthcare and elder care environments, where individuals may experience isolation, cognitive decline, grief, or loss of autonomy. For many participants, interaction with animals can reduce anxiety, stimulate memory, encourage communication, and provide comfort during times of transition or decline. In hospice settings, Mobile ANT offers dignified, compassionate presence for patients, families, and staff, often supporting emotional connection at the end of life in ways that words alone cannot.
The program also serves community organizations and schools that are seeking supportive, non-clinical interventions to promote emotional regulation and social connection. For youth and adults alike, animals offer nonjudgmental engagement that can ease stress, increase participation, and foster moments of genuine connection. These interactions often open pathways for conversation, reflection, and relationship-building that are difficult to achieve through traditional programming alone.
Mobile ANT is grounded in trauma-informed practice and emphasizes choice, consent, and respect for both participants and animals. Staff are trained to read cues from individuals and animals, adjusting the pace and intensity of visits to ensure safety and comfort. The program prioritizes dignity and autonomy, allowing participants to engage at their own level and in ways that feel meaningful to them.
Outcomes of the Mobile ANT program are observed and documented through partner feedback, facilitator observations, and participation tracking. Common outcomes include reduced agitation and anxiety, increased social interaction, improved mood, and a sense of being seen and valued. Partner organizations frequently report that Mobile ANT visits positively affect not only participants but also staff and caregivers, contributing to a warmer, more connected environment.
By bringing animals into places where people live, heal, and receive care, Mobile ANT extends the mission of Animals as Natural Therapy beyond the farm and into the heart of the community. The program affirms that meaningful human-animal connection is not a luxury, but a powerful and accessible form of support that can improve quality of life, foster belonging, and provide comfort across the lifespan.
