Back-to-School Summer Campaign: Donate Today to Support the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program!

Pets in the Classroom Grant Program is on a mission to bring the benefits of classroom pets to as many students as possible. We believe in the positive impact that pets have on children’s lives, from fostering empathy and social skills to decreasing anxiety and increasing engagement in the classroom. However, we need your support to continue making a difference.

We are proud to share that we have never had to turn down an eligible applicant.  The program has provided nearly 229,000 grants to teachers, with an increase in applicants this past school year of 38% over the previous school year. As we head into the new school year and grant cycle, we invite you to join us in financially supporting the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program se we can continue to provide grants to every eligible teacher interested in having a classroom pet.

Why is supporting the Pets in the Classroom program so important?

Having a pet in the classroom benefits children in so many ways.  Classroom pets provide opportunities for learning, improve school attendance, help children learn important social skills and decrease anxiety. Caring for pets encourages nurturing and builds self-esteem. The positive effects of classroom pets can be seen through Pet’s in the Classroom’s recent teacher survey conducted among grant recipients. The survey revealed remarkable outcomes, including:

• 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.
• 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.
• 87% saw a decrease in necessary student disciplinary measures.
• 80% of teachers saw an improvement in attendance due to their classroom pet.
• 79% of teachers saw an improvement in test/academic performance.

Here are a few stories that were shared with us through the survey:

I have a student who missed 54 days of school last year. This year- he is the classroom pet guru. He feeds, “waters” and takes care of our leopard gecko. He’s the go to person in class. He is now the first one in the room each morning. He now has a gecko at home he takes care of and even took care of our classroom pet when I was gone for a week over a school break. I have seen his attendance and his behavior improve so much this year.

Zoe Goroski

I teach 3K high support preschool. Most of my students are Autistic and have a lot of speech deficits. I have had 2 students start talking more, 1 student “teach” the bearded dragon the letters and sounds and 3 students with severe behaviors improve in this area by working towards earning the privilege of holding him. The impact in my classroom has been even more significant than I expected. I have 1 student that didn’t want to get out of the car in the morning and now she can’t wait to get out of the car so she can go see Rebel.

Melissa Shuman

I teach in a classroom that is for students that have experienced severe trauma. Due to their past they have an extremely hard time making positive connections and expressing/feeling empathy. My students are happy to come every day and check in on Levi the Leopard Gecko. They care for her every day. They feed her and hold her. She is so calm and this makes them calm as well. If she didn’t eat one day, they would be very concerned. They are so vested in her. They have done all sorts of research and even found out the gender and hosted a gender reveal. Other students from around the building come in to see Levi as a reward. She is not the pet of room 102….but of the building as well.   

Kourtney Fitzmaurice

Are you willing to help make a difference in the lives of students?

By contributing to the Pets in the Classroom Grant Program, you are directly supporting the well-being and growth of students. Your donation will help us provide grants to teachers who may otherwise lack the necessary resources for a classroom pet. Together, we can create an environment where children thrive, develop essential skills, and experience the joy of caring for pets.

Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a significant impact. With just $100, you can support up to 40 students in experiencing the joys and educational benefits of having a classroom pet. It takes less than 60 seconds to make a donation, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Pets in the Classroom Grant Program believes in the transformative power of pets in education. By donating to our program, you are investing in the future of children and helping us reach our goal of making classroom pets accessible to all students. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make an immediate difference. Donate today through our Facebook Campaign and join us in creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment through the power of pets!