Having a pet in the classroom is a great learning experience for students, parents, and teachers. It is also a huge responsibility for all the parties involved and it’s best to do your research to discover the right type of animal that your classroom can keep happy and healthy!

When considering what kind of pet you should get for your classroom, it’s important to weigh the possible pros and cons of each different animal. Here are several different types of animals with information about their care to aid you in deciding if they would be the right fit for your children and classroom:

Rabbits

Rabbits are generally fond of company, mild-tempered, and curious. They typically make great indoor pets for first time pet owners, as they can be attentive and affectionate. As herbivores, they eat hay, fruits and vegetables. Rabbits, however, are very sensitive to environmental temperatures (ideally about 60-70 degrees) and are known to kick or bite if they are mishhandled; always cradle them like a football. For housing, they require a roomy wire cage that should be cleaned weekly and they are notorious escape artists. They make for entertaining pets and relish the opportunity for exercise, play, and exploration but are best suited to upper elementary grades and above.

Snakes

Several types of snakes popularly housed in educational classrooms are garter snakes, rat snakes, and corn snakes. Snakes require glass or plexi-glass aquaria that can be easily cleaned every two weeks. As they are shy by nature and like to burrow and hide from view, snakes enjoy an environment rich with items like terra cotta pots, tree bark, and small caves made of rocks that they can retreat into. When holding them, their entire body should be supported to decrease emotional stress. Oftentimes, snakes as classroom pets work well with kids that are big enough to carefully hold the entirety of their bodies. They also require a wide range of food from cockroaches to pre-killed mice! Eeek! Make sure this is something that is discussed with your students beforehand, as it can be a very intense experience.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are very gentle animals and seldom bite which makes them excellent classroom pets, especially with younger school-aged children. They also have a wide range of vocalizations that reflect their moods and emotions. This can aid in student bonding and interaction. For housing, guinea pigs require substantial room to exercise in. One exciting way for this to be achieved is a series of tubes going around the classroom. For food and drink, guinea pigs can be quite picky eaters but this is easily overcome with feeding hay as 75% of the diet, commercial pelleted guinea pig feed (which will be supplemented with vitamin C) and sipper tubes for water.

Turtles

Turtles can be fascinating pets if given proper attention. There are many different species and their needs vary greatly. Each unique species has different housing needs with aquatic to semi-aquatic environments. Like snakes, turtles are ectotherms and rely on their external environment to control their body temperature. In the classroom, turtles are very messy eaters and their habitats need to be cleaned frequently. Also another good thing to know is that turtles can live for decades!

The above are a few of the many options when it comes to considering different types of animals for your classroom. Further research should be conducted before making any decisions and definitive information on food and water habits, housing requirements, proper handling, and human health concerns are all topics that should understood before incorporating a pet into the classroom.

Pets are the perfect way to teach children about responsibility and what can be better than incorporating these important lessons into an already established learning environment, the school classroom! Pets can be integrated into curriculums to aid in learning about what it means to care about another living being and in turn encourage children to think outside of themselves.

In recent studies, having a pet in the classroom has shown to improve attendance records (See previous post: http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/resources/childs-health-education/). With the excitement about participating in the daily care of a friendly creature like playing with a rabbit, or feeding fish, kids want to make sure that their classroom pet is doing well and are more apt to attend school. Teachers report that by being around pets, children are more likely to do their homework and are said to be able to complete tasks with more focus. Another benefit to having a classroom pet is that pets can foster a greater sense of community between students, parents, and teachers because everyone has to work together to take care of the animal. This can reduce behavioral problems, increase learning motivation, and break down barriers amongst school-aged children by giving them a common bond. By creating new ways to learn, pets enrich the classroom in many ways.

Tasking students with the responsibility for a living creature is a big job though. It’s important to ensure that the pet is being properly cared for which means extra attention from the teacher. Watching, caring, and interacting with a pet is exciting and the responsibility involved is an important life lesson.

Pets in the Classroom wanted to let Teachers and schools know about this great contest put on by Petco!  Each year Petco partners with the San Diego Council On Literacy (SDCOL) to host the Super Kids Day Essay Contest. Super Kids Day Essay Contest is an opportunity for children in our community to participate in writing about pets for a chance to win a behind the scenes tour of Petco Park and opportunity to meet Bud Black, Padres Team Manager.

The essay theme this year: “Imagine you are a pet. How would you describe the best pet parent ever?”

Deadline for the essay contest is May 10, 2013.

Division I: 6-9 years old. 50-word minimum. 15 prize winners!

Division II: 10-13 years old. 100-word minimum. 15 prize winners!

Seven Grand Prize winners from each division will receive:

• Four tickets to the June 22, 2013 Padres home game against the LA Dodgers in the all-you-can-eat Toyota Terrace section
• A VIP behind-the-scenes tour of Petco Park (for the winner only) before the game
• The opportunity to participate in a “kids only” pre-game press conference with Padres Manager Bud Black

Eight winners from each division will receive:

• Four tickets to the June 22, 2013 Padres home game against the LA Dodgers in the all-you-can-eat Toyota Terrace section
• A VIP behind-the-scenes tour of Petco Park (for the winner only) before the game

We hope that young animal lovers (and Padres fans) find the theme inspiring, and the prize and bragging rights worth the effort!

The Essay application can be downloaded at http://www.petco.com/PetcoPark/PadresHome.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pets in the Classroom Program Awarded $5,000 Petco Foundation Grant to support Pets in the Classroom program

Bel Air, Maryland 5/1/2013 – The Pet Care Trust today announced that it has been selected by the Petco Foundation to receive a grant of $5,000 for its Pets in the Classroom Program, providing classroom pets to approximately 40 elementary and middle school classrooms, impacting around  2,000 children.

The grant from the Petco Foundation will help the Pet Care Trust reach its goal of introducing 5 million children in 100,000 classrooms to pets and the benefits of the human-animal bond.  The Pets in the Classroom program provides teachers with direct, no-hassle grants for the purchase of classroom pets and pet supplies.

Pet Care Trust Executive Director Steven King expressed appreciation for the funding from the Petco Foundation.  The Petco Foundation is a highly respected organization that does wonderful work on behalf of pets,” he said.“We are delighted that they have chosen to support the Pets in the Classroom program and our efforts to introduce children to the joys of pets in the school environment.”

The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond.  Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improving school attendance and teaching children responsibility, as well as encouraging nurturing and building self esteem.

The Petco Foundation has served as a voice for companion animals across the country since 1999.  Today, with more than 9,500 local animal-welfare partners across the country, the Petco Foundation donates approximately $15 million a year to make a difference in the lives of millions of animals.  The organization is funded through donations raised during fundraisers conducted in Petco’s more than 1,200 stores across the country, as well as from Petco associates, vendors and corporate contributions.  Money raised helps fund animal-welfare organizations, spay and neuter efforts, animal-assisted therapy programs and humane education.  The majority of the funds raised remain in the communities where they were raised, and the Petco Foundation is also involved in many national animal-welfare efforts.

In 2012, the Petco Foundation surpassed $100 million in funds raised for companion animals since the organization was created.  To learn more, visit www.petcofoundation.org.

For more information or to donate to the Pets in the Classroom program, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org.

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About the Pet Care Trust

The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable, public foundation that is instrumental in the sponsorship of programs supporting companion animal welfare and the benefits of owning companion pets as well as the development of educational programs demonstrating the importance of responsible companion animal ownership. Through the Pets in the Classroom program, the Pet Care Trust awards grants to teachers to support pets in a learning environment.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

The Rainbow’s End Learning Centers in Washington and Waynesburg, PA were both recipients of Pets in the Classroom grants!  Each learning center now is home to a gerbil that the kids can love and learn from!

Kristan Ealy, the Development Director for Pathways Foundation of SW PA, Inc. (the organization that runs the Rainbow’s End Learning Centers), passed on this picture of Alfred the gerbil along with a note:

PIC: Pathways Alfred

Alfred belongs to Ms. Emily’s Pre-K 4 year old classroom which has ten students. He often makes visits to the Pre-K 3 year old room and the toddler room as well. The students say they love Alfred and watching him eat, I hear that carrots are his favorite treat! Everyone at Rainbow’s End Learning Center in Waynesburg, PA is so grateful to Pets in the Classroom and their recent grant. They hope to be able to enjoy Alfred’s company for many years to come!

Also, the website for the Learning Centers published information about the grant in their news section:

The Pre-K Counts Classroom at Rainbow’s End Washington would like to thank Pets in the Classroom for their recent grant to receive a new pet gerbil and it’s habitat. Not only do pets in an early learning classroom help children learn about Science and Nature topics, but they teach them the importance of being responsible and taking care of another living being.

Thanks again for the learning experience Pets in the Classroom!!!

Thank you to Rainbow’s End Learning Centers for seeing the value of classroom pets and introducing your students to a variety of learning experiences through your pet gerbils!

The Kindergarten class at Okolona Elementary in Louisville, KY has the privilege of being home to Harper the Gecko, due in part to a Pets in the Classroom grant!  Their teacher, Mrs. Kusinski, sent us this lovely picture of Harper.  Thank you Mrs. Kusinski!

My little friends love their little friend. My kindergarten friends were so excited to see our gecko shed it’s (we’re still waiting to see if we have a boy or girl) skin. It’s GROWING they said! They worked hard to ‘earn’ their class pet. We are grateful for this grant opportunity.

Grant Recipient  -  Meeko the Chinchilla

Say hello to another furry friend that will positively impact the lives of elementary students! With the help of a Pets in the Classroom Grant, Mrs. Helgeson’s wonderful first grade class at Meeker Elementary in Ames, Iowa will enjoy the experience of having a classroom pet!

Mrs. Helgeson sent us this lovely note:

Thank You for the Pets in the Classroom Grant! I LOVE that you support pets in the classroom! I have always had pets! Thanks again for supporting teachers and their pets and the wonderful hands on experience they provide the children!

Have you seen the updated numbers?  Pets in the Classroom has awarded 24,051 grants from the program’s inception through February of 2013!  Based on the average of 50 students per classroom (which includes middle school classrooms and school libraries), that means approximately 1,202,550 students have been impacted!  This puts us well on our way to reaching our new goal of introducing 5 million children in 100,000 classrooms to pets and the benefits they provide. But we still have a ways to go, and you can help us!

• Spread the word.  Please be sure to tell all of your teacher friends about the Pets in the Classroom grant program.   If you have had a positive experience with classroom pets, be sure to let them know and be available to answer any questions they may have (and of course, refer them to our website for details on the benefits, classroom pet options, things to think about before choosing a classroom pet  and more).

• Provide financial support. Do you or someone you know believe in the value of pets and the positive impact they can have on children? Sponsor our program!  Individuals and businesses are invited to sponsor the Pets in the Classroom program, either through a general donation or by sponsoring a specific teacher or school.

• Apply! If you are a teacher interested in getting a classroom pet, please apply for our grant!

We at Pets in the Classroom have researched and seen first-hand the positive impact that pets can have on children, specifically in the classroom.  And the more people research human interaction with pets, the more we see the incredible results that stem from building this human-animal bond.  That’s why when we came across an article about one such study, we had to share it with you.

The recent study released by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia and Purdue University in Indiana indicates that classroom pets positively influence the behavior of kids with autism spectrum disorder.  Amina Khan, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, introduced her article about the study, Teacher’s pet? Guinea pigs may help autistic kids in classroom, by saying:

Kids with autism spectrum disorder could have a new ally in the classroom: animals. Autistic children who played with guinea pigs rather than toys were more talkative, made more eye contact and displayed a more positive attitude, according to a study in the journal PLoS ONE.

Amina continues to describe the details and results of the study throughout the article.  Please take the time to read the incredible results by visiting http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-autism-pet-guinea-pigs-autistic-kids-classroom-20130227,0,2904265.story

Google

We at Pets in the Classroom love to hear stories from teachers who have received a Pets in the Classroom grant.  Not only do your stories provide us with the opportunity to see the impact that our grants make, but they also provide us with important information that we can pass on to other teachers!  For example, Mrs. Malloy, author of “An Apple for the Teacher” blog, recently posted an entry about how she came about getting a classroom pet and how the students were involved in the process.  Mrs. Malloy created an elaborate lesson plan and a great learning experience for her students from one student’s simple question, “”Mrs. Malloy, could we get a class pet?”  The lesson included brainstorming, research, writing persuasive letters, and more!  Please see for yourself!  Check out her blog post for some great ideas, and please, share with us some of your own as well!

Google

Pets in the Classroom is making an impact!  Bob Vetere, president & CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), recently announced the release of the 2013-2014 National Pet Owners Survey.  The Survey shows pet ownership in the United States is at a record high. Vetere, who is also a Pet Care Trust board member, contributes part of that growth to Pets in the Classroom!

“As an industry, we have been working very hard to promote the joys and benefits of responsible pet ownership and we are thrilled to see that more people are opening their homes and sharing their families with pets than ever before,” said APPA President and CEO Bob Vetere. “We believe that key initiatives have contributed to the growth and increasing word-of-mouth including the formation of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative two years ago, a large national social media campaign called Pets Add Life, school program, Pets in the Classroom and public service ad campaign, The Shelter Pet Project.”

Read more about the survey by visiting http://www.khou.com/community/blogs/animal-attraction/Animal-Attraction—195304431.html.