The purpose of the thesis was to examine the experienced effects of nature and animal assisted interventions on the wellbeing and life management of clients of Eläimistä elinvoimaa ry. The subject emerged from the will to enhance the knowledge of nature and animal assisted interventions and to promote their use in social care. The commissioner of this thesis, Eläimistä elinvoimaa ry, provides rehabilitation, animal assisted therapy and equine-assisted social pedagogical activities in Janakkala.

The theoretical framework deals with rehabilitation and Green Care from the perspective of social care. In addition, the concepts of wellbeing and life management are defined. This research-based thesis was made using qualitative research methods and a narrative approach. The data were collected using focused interviews and the methods used in analysing were thematizing and narrative analysis. The results are presented as a story that is based on the collected data.

According to the results, nature and animal assisted interventions have had positive effects on the wellbeing and life management of clients of Eläimistä elinvoimaa ry. There is a clear contrast between the clients’ descriptions of their everyday life before and after participating in the activities. The results show that nature and animal assisted interventions meet a variety of needs because they can for example strengthen social skills and provide refreshing experiences.