Animals helping children to heal

Jack, Honor and Isabelle with the chickens.

Owen and Ling.

Abbey with the zebra, the miniature horse, and the goat.

The Jamieson boys.

Jonathan Mowa.

Jacob Sarah James - Arapawa Island.

James with Skye Flash on Arapawa Island.

Jonny and Maya.

Lily and Millie.

Meg and Toodles.

Milly

Nikau, Riki, Gaia and Shanti.

Rachael and and a chinchilla - Palmerston North.

Rachael with alpacas in Akaroa

Rachael with one of her subjects - Annabelle in Arrowtown.

Shanti and Wilbur.

Tonrell, Mercedez, Cajun and Jorjah with Sugar and her pups (Opotiki).

New Zealand photographer, Rachael Hale McKenna has built a career around capturing the essence of childhood through portrait photography and she also is adept at getting wonderful shots of animals. Books of her images have sold millions of copies worldwide and her photographs have featured on greeting cards and in calendars.A range of titles, including The New York Dog, The French Cat and 101 Salivations has keep Rachael and her family living out of suitcases for six years. Her latest project has been shot throughout New Zealand. Little Loves, New Zealand children and their favourite animals is her 16th title and was shot throughout the country over six months. It's not all cute kids and their pets, there are stories, some quite emotional behind the pictures.

Rachel Hale McKenna talks with Kathryn Ryan.