Meet the 2025 Pets in the Classroom Success Story Video Contest Winners!

Every classroom pet has a story—and the 2025 Pets in the Classroom Success Story Video Contest brought those stories to life in creative, heartfelt, and inspiring ways. From building math skills through budgeting to fostering empathy and STEM exploration, this year’s winning videos showcase the powerful impact pets have in education.

We’re proud to introduce the three winners whose videos captured hearts, inspired votes, and stood out for their creativity, storytelling, and meaningful classroom impact.

First Place: Grace Petroccia – Hillside, New Jersey

Meet Digit the guinea pig—Grace’s fifth-grade class pet who students didn’t just meet… they earned. Before welcoming him, students completed a classroom project that taught them to research guinea pig needs and create a working budget, building both excitement and financial literacy. Once Digit joined the classroom, he became a true co-teacher: helping with classroom management through a “piggy poms” reward system, participating in lessons, and even having his own Instagram presence at @digitnoodle.

Second Place: Mary Beth Butler – Tucson, AZ

Tiny but mighty, Freddie Bear is a hamster who became the most adored member of Mary Beth’s class. Students have classroom pet rules—like “look with your eyes” and “use quiet voices”—and take shared responsibility for feeding and tidying up after their new friend. Freddie Bear’s presence teaches students to be calm, patient, and caring—while adding a touch of joy to every school day.

Third Place: Drew Mossman – Terra Nova School, MN

Drew’s classroom pets are much more than companions—they’re woven into the fabric of education. From snakes to frogs to a curly-haired tarantula named Curly, students at Terra Nova learn math, science, writing, ethics, and design through hands-on, pet-centered projects. The school’s Animal Care Club maintains aquaponic systems, breeds feeder insects, and even volunteers at local shelters—making learning active, immersive, and impactful.

What These Stories Teach Us

Each of these winning stories shows how classroom pets can:

• Inspire academic engagement through real-world connections

• Promote social-emotional growth and responsibility

• Build classroom community and communication

From cozy enclosures to Instagram fame, from math lessons to schoolwide ecosystems—these pets are far more than classroom animals. They’re mentors, motivators, and members of the school family.

Thank You to Every Teacher Who Entered

To all of the teachers who submitted their videos: thank you for sharing your creativity, compassion, and dedication to student growth. Your stories continue to inspire and demonstrate just how impactful pets can be in education.

You can watch more inspiring classroom pet stories on our YouTube Channel:
youtube.com/@petcaretrust/playlists

And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see how other teachers are making a difference—with help from their pets.