As teachers and parents reflect on the changes that have taken place in education over the past year, the role of pets has become more evident. Pets provide social, emotional and academic benefits for children during remote learning, as well as in the classroom setting.

According to a recent survey conducted by MARS Petcare of 2,000 parents across the UK and US:

• 56% of parents report that having a pet helped improve their child’s academic performance
• 3 in 4 (78%) say pet interaction in school is important to reduce students’ anxiety
• 75% of parents believed that pets helped children bond with their schoolmates
• 80% of parents believed pet interaction should be used in schools
• 85% of parents (in the US) with pets say that pet programs in schools are beneficial to students

The Pets in the Classroom grant program is one of those programs. Established in 2010 by the Pet Care Trust, the program’s mission is to provide school-aged children throughout the U.S. and Canada with the opportunity to interact with pets—an experience that can help to shape their lives for years to come. Through the program, pre-kindergarten through 9th grade teachers in both private and public schools can obtain funding for a small animal and/or pet supplies. The program has brought classroom pets to over 181,000 classrooms, helping nearly 7 million students nationwide and in Canada experience the joys and benefits of companion animals.

The results of the MARS Petcare Survey echo the results of a study conducted by American Humane, whose findings suggest that classroom pets may help improve academic performance and social skills in children. Additionally, annual teacher surveys conducted by the Pets in the Classroom grant program demonstrate the same thing: pets in the school setting can provide social, emotional and academic benefits for children. In the 2019-20 survey, teachers reported the following:

• 98% of teachers saw an increase in empathy and compassion, thanks to a classroom pet.
• 98% of teachers saw an increase in student responsibility.
• 98% of teachers saw an increase in student engagement.
• 97% of teachers saw an improvement in attendance due to their classroom pet.
• 96% of teachers saw an increase in social skills.
• 95% of teachers saw some decrease in anxiety among students.
• 93% of teachers surveyed saw an improvement in students’ self-esteem.
• 88% saw a decrease in necessary student disciplinary measures.
• 76% of teachers saw an improvement in test/academic performance.

As one grant recipient stated: “To say that having class pets is beneficial would be an understatement. It is therapeutic for both staff and students. I am amazed at how my students responded in such a positive way to our pets. It opened the floor for honest conversations about managing emotions, stress, and how our actions and reactions affect others.”

Learn more about the Pets in the Classroom grant program by visiting www.dbf9eaf4ed.nxcli.io.