My classroom absolutely loves having a fish tank in the classroom. It has helped them be excited about coming into the room each day and checking on each one. This past year was incredibly tough on everyone, but having our fish be a constant source of fun and joy has been helpful. I have even been given a new fish as a Christmas gift this year from a student who is extremely motivated by [...]

Our bearded dragon, fish, and turtles have created a buzz in our science area daily. The fish tank has allowed our students who experience anxiety a peaceful self-soothing option. Our bearded dragon and turtle have engaged students who are dual language learners in language development. All around, our pets not only have captured our hearts, they have captured imagination and learning in ways I never thought possible. They have become an intricate part of [...]

One of my students (our pet is in the school library) has tremendously benefited from our snake, Kate. He will visit her as a reward for making good choices or hits an academic milestone. He also gets to see her when he needs a break to motivate him to move onto the next item for his day. He loves her and treats her with kindness and respect.

We have a guinea pig in the school library. Before adopting this pet, I read many studies about the valuable role companion animals play in the healthy development of children, particularly in regards to pro-social skills and empathy. As we all know, it can be intimidating to speak in front of a group of people. Especially for my students that are low readers, they never wanted to participate or read aloud. But now, I [...]

I teach science to 9th graders at a local high school. I was excited to bring 2 rescued guinea pigs into the classroom. One benefit that I did not anticipate is forming better relationships with my quiet and shy students. Once I put a guinea pig in their arms, I got to know them much better!

Mo is our bearded dragon in the library, and she has benefited ALL our students this year. Not only has she been an excellent classroom management tool, but she has worked wonders on kids with anxiety about starting at a new school. She is definitely the star of the show in the library!

Our guinea pig, Hercules Mulligan is a valued part of our special needs preschool class. She is one of the jobs on our job chart. Many kids spend time standing at her cage and have been taught to “call” her ( great for speech therapy ). They tell their orders about her and ask lots of questions about her as well. She is very popular!!

My bearded dragon, Gobi, has been the BEST thing in my science classroom this past year. I teach 7th graders and they are obsessed with him and have treated him with so much love and shown so much responsibility toward him. With nearly 200 students in my classroom throughout the day, Gobi sees a lot of new friends. I have had students tell me that my class is their favorite and the only one [...]

Sunny (our Leopard Gecko) has been wonderful addition to our classroom community. The students love having him in our room. We've done art projects based on his habitat and he visits the students when they are working quietly "just to say hi and check on their progress". I've used him as a class companion for some students who suffer from anxiety and need that extra friend sitting beside them. I've enjoyed learning about leopard [...]

Pets in the classroom is such a blessing to all. What students take away from pets being in the classroom in almost indescribable. Responsibilities, compassion, empathy, are just a few aspects I have seen in my classroom.

I teach in a school with very high generational trauma, although we are not Title 1. Many of my students come to me with deep emotional wounds and pain and have no ability to express themselves without lashing out or being angry. Having our class guinea pig, first Mr. Fitz, and now Hiccup, has provided my students with a friend and a soft warm furry body who will provide comfort and who they can [...]

I work in a therapeutic school for students with social and emotional challenges. We have a pet guinea pig that the students LOVE. Spending time with him is something the students earn and has acted as a huge incentive for positive behavior. Our students who have high anxiety have also benefited a lot from spending time with him in their moments of need. He helps reluctant students transition to school in the mornings. He [...]

If there was one tool that would provide your students with unconditional love, give them an outlet for emotions, and build community at school, would you get it? Alexandra Jackson, a middle school teacher at Beck International Academy in Greenville, SC, answered, “Why not?!”  For Mrs. Jackson, her classroom pets - 3 guinea pigs - have been an incredible source of learning and growth for her students and do just that…give unconditional love, are an [...]

We asked teachers what the best reasons to have a classroom pet were and wanted to share some answers with you!    My favorite thing about having a class pet is that I have noticed kids who would never choose to socialize and interact in free time will get in groups and talk and laugh over something the guinea pig did or pet and play with her. My 24th "student" is the best peacemaker and behavior [...]

Did you know that when it comes to educational engagement, empathy building, character development, and community enhancement, teachers are seeing significant value in having classroom pets? Here’s what a few teachers are saying: I teach in an inner city school, where there are many kids suffering from academic, social and emotional difficulties. Having a classroom pet for the students to take care of and love has helped many of these children. I think that the [...]

We received this letter from a Pets in the Classroom grant recipient that we had to share with you. If you are considering getting a classroom pet, please read this letter as this teacher's testimony reinforces all of the benefits that classroom pets can provide to the educational process! Dear Pet Care Trust, Please accept my sincere thanks for granting us money to have bearded dragons in our classroom.  My students and I are extremely [...]

We at Pets in the Classroom received this letter that we just had to share with you.  What an incredible learning experience for these students! I wanted to thank you for the grant that has allowed me to have a bearded dragon in my classroom.  I was very excited to get the grant and to go learn all about a new creature.  My students were even more surprised and amazed by this generous gift. This [...]

The stories we receive from teachers about their experiences with classroom pets continue to impress us.  Here are a few comments we received from a few Las Vegas area teachers:   Students enjoyed visiting the pets as they checked out their library books. The pets help make our school library a warm, happy place. Some students were given special time observing the pets as a reward for good behavior. In particular, this was very helpful [...]

Google There are many benefits to having pets in the classroom, but don't take our word for it. See what some of the teachers who have received our grant have to say...   I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for the grant to establish an aquarium in my kindergarten classroom.  Young ones love class pets, and this grant will provide fish for them.  It will also provide an opportunity for the [...]