Why Pets in the Classroom?

PETS BUILD SELF ESTEEM:

Helping to take care of a pet gives a child a sense of pride and accomplishment, especially if the animal is able to return the affection. Shari Young Kuchenbicker, Ph.D., research psychologist at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, says, "The child who cares for a pet knows that what he does matters and so he'll want to do more of it. The more successfully he feeds, walks, or emotionally bonds with the pet, the more confident he'll feel about himself and his environment." In fact, studies conducted by the Waltham Centre have shown that children with pets have higher levels of self-esteem than those without pets.

PETS TEACH RESPONSIBILITY:

Even  a small child can begin to learn to care for the needs of another living being. Whether helping to empty a cup of dry kibble into the rabbit's bowl or filling the hamster's water bottle, it's never too early to start teaching children proper animal care.

PETS BECOME FRIENDS:

Animals such as cats, dogs and guinea pigs love human contact and can become a child's best friend. Children can even develop strong bonds with non-responsive animals such as fish or turtles. These relationships help to strengthen a child's social skills, giving them the potential to do better in a school setting. (See Sesame Workshop)

PETS ENCOURAGE NURTURING:

Children soon learn that if they want to be liked and trusted by the family cat, they'll need to treat her carefully and kindly. This sort of training benefits all children.

HEALTH AND EDUCATION:

Its's official. Studies show that children from families with pets are better equipped to fight off infection than those from non-pet households, showing significantly higher levels of immune system performance.

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