Most of us instinctively know that being with animals is good for our wellbeing. Now, celebrated author Jay Griffiths tells us why.

We’re delighted to welcome Jay to Monty Lit Fest to talk about her book, How Animals Heal Us, a unique and heartfelt insight into the healing nature of our relationship with animals.

From a pot-bellied pig who saved her owner’s life to the lions who guarded a girl from kidnappers and dolphins and whales rescuing people in danger, we’ll learn how animals can have a role in every level of healing – both for individuals and society as a whole.

Jay Griffiths is the author of Wild: An Elemental Journey; Kith: The Riddle of the Childscape; Tristimania; Pip Pip: A Sideways Look at Time and How Animals Heal Us. She won the Discover award for the best first-time author in the USA; the inaugural Orion award and the Hay Festival International Fellowship. She has been commissioned to write for Radiohead and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her work has received widespread accolades, including from Gary Snyder, Barry Lopez, Don Paterson, John Berger, Philip Pullman, KT Tunstall and Nikolai Fraiture.