The positive impact of pets in the classroom

“Doctor STAT needed!” echoed in the ER on a cold, windy morning last week. When I jumped up to help, I noticed that the technician was holding the patient in his hand, which was clearly small. I expected it to be a newborn puppy or kitten, or maybe a bird that had fallen from its nest in a storm.

Instead, she opened her curled hand and found a small, weak leopard gecko named Rosie. His normally striped skin looked pale, his large eyes barely open and his breathing weak. Rosie was clearly cold, even though she was at home on hot rocks. A brief physical examination revealed that she had an abscessed cloacal impaction, and given her appearance, the prognosis was poor.

We began the treatment by soaking Rosie's rear end in warm water and warming the rest of her body with a heat lamp. As the pressure of her impaction subsided from the bath and the warm light of the lamp enveloped her, Rosie began to move her body. A glimmer of hope has appeared.

I left to talk to her family. As I turned the corner, I spotted a young woman in her 30s. It was clear from her expression that she knew Rosie was in critical condition. What the tests found, what I had done to help, and how I knew that despite everything, Rosie's prognosis was poor because the infection was so severe. When she explained it, she was crying and tears were rolling down her cheeks.

After speaking, I was a little surprised. Rosie's owner could be seen giving a small smile. She told me about Rosie. “I know she always hears it, but Rosie is so special!” I'm a kindergarten teacher. Rosie has been our classroom pet for the past seven years. She has been loved and pampered every day. I have a whole folder of “portraits” of her drawn by her children. But the most important lesson I taught my students was about Rosie. She helped me understand the importance of being kind, considerate, and considerate to others. ”

Rosie's mother was more than just a good pet parent. She was a kind and dedicated teacher. Although it was obvious that she loved Rosie, she kept the pet in her classroom not only for her own enjoyment, but for the benefit of her students. She said: “Many of my children have never seen reptiles outside of zoos or pet shops. They can touch Rosie and she is very nice to them and they are not scared. ”

Animals naturally arouse children's curiosity and encourage interaction. In a properly supervised environment, interacting with pets can help young children develop basic social skills, increase social engagement (talking to pets), and begin to develop self-confidence. As children grow up caring for classroom pets, they also develop empathy and a sense of responsibility.^1,2

Leopard geckos like Rosie were perfect for early childhood classrooms.

1. They are a docile and charming breed. Children can learn what it means to touch animals gently and safely.
2. They have eyelids, a characteristic and unusual physical feature of lizards, so they can see when she is sleeping and should not be disturbed.
3. Leopard geckos make a barking sound when excited. In other words, you can say “no, thank you” to cage-pounding hostility.
4. They are carnivores, so they catch prey and eat it eagerly. (It may sound like a grizzly bear, but their suitable diet is a variety of insects such as crickets and mealworms.) It will be a lesson in care and feeding, and an exciting reward in no time.

Rosie's owners clearly knew all this when they chose Rosie as their classroom pet. This warm and kind kindergarten teacher not only taught her students what was good in school, but also what was good in life.

Rosie remained at the hospital that day. We treated her for her infection, injected water and emergency treatment protein “soup” into her mouth with her syringe, and warmed her with hot stones and heat lamps. Ultimately, despite our best efforts, Rosie succumbed to an infection.

When I called the owner to let her know that Rosie had passed away, she was very grateful. She explained that I was the only veterinarian she called that day and the only one willing to help. She said that although she knew Rosie was seriously ill, she appreciated that I had done everything I could and, most importantly, that I cared. she said. She told the children in her classroom that someone who loves animals is working hard to care for Rosie.

I told her you were welcome and that I had grown up blessed with teachers like her, teachers who recognized the value of having animals in the classroom and the lifelong impact it could have on students. explained how lucky they are. My kindergarten classroom pet was a guinea pig named Twopaste, and I absolutely loved him.

References