About Us
(Buster & Vinnie
Our Pygmy Goats)
Lynn Hart
Founder and Lead Practitioner
Animals in Mind is run by Lynn Hart; a lifelong animal lover and educationalist. Recognising the positive impact of animals on well -being and learning, Lynn began working with the assistance of her eclectic mix of amazing animals to support individuals, schools, charities, the care sector and community groups in 2019.
Lynn is not only the founder, but the lead practitioner and enjoys nothing more than working directly with each and every client in the day, and then in evenings and week-ends spending time caring for our wonderful therapy animals.
Prior to launching Animals in Mind, Lynn spent the last 12 years of her 25 plus year career in education working in or with Agricultural Colleges across the UK.
Lynn is a qualified teacher (PGCE), with a BSc Honours (1st Class) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and a Masters Degree in Education. Lynn holds the Diploma (L6) in Equine Facilitated Learning Coach, with Festina Lente and has completed Nature based and Animal Assisted Play Therapy®.
Lynn has also gained qualifications in Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid, Suicide and Self-Harming Awareness, Pediatric First Aid.
Lynn is a former Trustee 2021-2025 of RSPCA Northamptonshire, and is a current Volunteer Welfare Advisor and a Friend at the End (FATE) for the British Horse Society.
About Animal Assisted Therapy/Intervention
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Intervention (AAI) is a relatively new field acknowledged as an important aspect of ‘One Health’. Animal Assisted Therapy sessions which are delivered responsibly offer numerous benefits to the participants, and the animal involved. For recipients, Animal Assisted Therapy can have a positive impact on physical abilities as well as addressing psychological, social, educational, emotional and cognitive needs”.
Source: Society for Companion Animal Studies (2019)
Meet the team
We are a very small team, but we have a big impact.
Meet the team dedicated to supporting people and animals on their journey with Animals in Mind.
Michelle Clark
Learning Coach
Michelle joined AiM in September 2025 as a Learning Coach. She is a qualified Primary School teacher who has always had a passion for animals and nature and delivered Forest School sessions across all age groups.
Known as a crazy cat lady, she loves all animals and is part of a volunteer group planting thousands of trees each year to increase woodland tree cover.
Michelle loves traveling and experiencing different cultures.
Emma Turner
Learning Facilitator (PT)
Emma joined AiM in September 2023.
She holds a BA in Fine Art and has many years of experience delivering Forest School, Nature Based and Outdoor Learning and Teaching Arts and Crafts.
Emma is also an animal lover and has spent her life around horses and other animals.
Emma brings a passion for conservation, the great outdoors and for nature based learning. She is also a talented artist and loves mosaics.
Richard Dewing
Maintenance / Animal Care
Richard has over 30 years’ experience in Further Education, including leadership roles culminating in Principal of a Land-Based College. Now in early retirement, he supports Animals in Mind through site maintenance, animal care and enrichment.
Clients value Richard’s calm, practical approach and the opportunity to learn hands-on skills while working alongside him. Richard holds an enhanced DBS and is registered with the Update Service. Outside of AiM, he enjoys walking our two Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizslas.
Claire Garrett
Volunteer Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Claire is a qualified teacher (PGCE) with a BSc in Zoology and has volunteered as Animals in Mind’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead since January 2026. She is also trained in counselling and runs a private art therapy practice, Wild Art Workshop, in Oxfordshire.
Claire maintains Advanced (Leading) Safeguarding training and holds an enhanced DBS. She shares her home with dogs, rabbits and a bearded dragon.
Tasker Jones
Volunteer Junior Keeper
Tasker has volunteered with Animals in Mind since 2022 and supports the team whenever he can during school holidays. He brings genuine enthusiasm and care to his role, particularly in supporting animal care and enrichment.
At home, Tasker looks after his own guinea pigs and a leopard gecko, and at AiM he has a particular soft spot for Monty the python, Vicky the tortoise, and Frodo the crested gecko.