AKRON, Ohio — If you are looking to add some decorations to your house, you can skip the store and head straight to the Akron Zoo where the animals are making one-of-a-kind paintings. 

The animal art is a part of the zoo's enrichment program that helps to stimulate the animals' minds and bodies. 

Carrie Bassett works in the education department of the zoo and gets to help the animals become artists. Most recently, she helped a turtle named Pandora create a masterpiece. 

"It gets her out of her normal surroundings (and) gets her some extra exercise. She can see some colors she might not normally see, smell some smells she might not normally smell, feel some of that on her toes. It kind of feels like mud,” Bassett laughed.

They use washable, non-toxic paint to allow the animals to participate in this enrichment activity. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums have a high standard when it comes to enrichment. Many zoos across the country are now taking part in the animal art. 

“It’s those things, like I said, to keep their mind engaged, to keep their bodies active and it's definitely things we do to encourage those natural behaviors,” she explained.

Not only is painting good for the animals, but it’s also a way for the zoo to raise money for the education department. 

“It is an awesome connection piece that we can send home with the public so they kind of feel like they get to take home a little piece of the zoo with them,” Bassett explained.

You can pick up some of the art at the Akron Zoo gift shop or you can even book an animal painting encounter for an in-person or virtual experience.