Beyond books: How pets help Arizona students learn life skills

By Stacy Mantle
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A hamster’s shuffle, the slow swirl of a goldfish, even the steady warmth of a bearded dragon can do more than add charm to a classroom.

Studies show classroom pets boost attendance, empathy and even improve test scores. Thanks to new grant programs, Arizona classrooms are joining the national trend of welcoming pets as part of the learning environment.

“In Title I and rural schools, a classroom pet can fill gaps in access and opportunity,” said Melinda Thomas, executive director of Pet Care Trust and Pets in the Classroom. “Many students may have limited exposure to diverse animals, so a classroom pet becomes a hands-on way to learn about biology, ecosystems,and responsibility."

Thomas said teachers that have classroom pets report better attendance, less anxiety, more empathy and more engagement from students.

The numbers back it up

The Pets in the Classroom grant program, supported by the Pet Care Trust, has issued more than 263,000 grants, impacting more than 10.5 million students across North America. During the 2021-22 school year alone, 19,100 grants were awarded; the following year, 2022-23, that number climbed to 26,288, underscoring the program’s expanding reach and continued impact in classrooms nationwide.

"As the behavioral health counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how having pets in the classroom or on campus creates a calming presence that helps students open up, regulate their emotions and feel a sense of connection," said Jacqui Myers, Desert Sky Middle School Behavioral Health Counselor. "It’s incredible how a few quiet moments with Sansa or small animal can shift someone’s entire day."

As of July 1, 2025, eligibility expanded from PreK-9 to PreK-12th grade, allowing every K-12 educator in the U.S. and Canada to apply.

A survey of over 1,300 teachers (released in July, 2025) reveals:

• 99% said having a classroom pet has been a positive experience.
• 76% reported improved attendance.
• 94% saw reduced anxiety.
• 97% noted boosts in empathy, compassion, and student engagement.
• 75% observed enhanced academic performance.
• 97% said pets fostered responsibility; 90%, self‑esteem; 94%, social skills; and 84%, better behavior.

This survey followed a major HABRI-funded study of third- and fourth-graders that indicated classroom pets can improve social competence and decrease problem behaviors.

Looking beyond surveys, a study found classrooms with guinea pigs showed greater increases in social skills and decreases in behavior problems over an eight-week period than classrooms without pets. For students on the autism spectrum, animal-assisted activities, including small classroom pets, led to improved social skills and reduced withdrawal.

Education World details how teachers in low-income schools report that frogs, hamsters and other small pets offered underserved students “a wealth of love and responsibility,” helping to improve behavior, pride and social bonds.

The Arizona advantage

Arizona classrooms come with their own unique climate. Summers can stretch hot and dry, but with forward-thinking planning, pets won’t just survive — they’ll thrive. 

“Ball pythons make an excellent addition to the classroom,” said Cressi Brown, executive director at Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education. “They are naturally hearty, friendly and slow moving. We use them often as therapy for those on the spectrum. Ball pythons rarely grow more than 4-foot in length and act almost as a weighted blanket. They are also easy to care for, so it’s not a problem to leave them in their enclosure during a weekend.”  

Planning a pet in the classroom is a bit easier with our desert climate as they often are easier to transport and care for during our summers.  Pets in the Classroom offer tips to help with planning. 

“Teachers in desert states often choose reptiles such as bearded dragons or desert tortoises because they provide rich science learning opportunities — encouraging discussions about what makes the desert habitat unique and the many other animals that live in such an environment,” said Thomas. “If allergies are a concern, reptiles and fish are great options for classroom pets.” 

1. Climate-smart care
   Think ahead: establish summer caretaking plans, partner with families or staff for care during breaks, or schedule cooling techniques for reptile habitats.
2. Policy-savvy planning
   Districts often allow small, contained pets like fish, rodents and reptiles (not visiting animals or livestock). Always verify district health and safety guidelines and check veterinary access for exotics.
3. Educational enrichment
   Pets let you code lessons across SEL, science, literacy and math. A variety of lesson plans have been prewritten to help teach water chemistry with fish, track weight change or growth with rodents or explore thermoregulation with reptiles.
4. Grants for sustainment
   
   Arizona teachers can apply for $125 grants (reimbursable) to purchase small pets and supplies and may qualify for sustaining grants in later years.

“We advise teachers to research thoroughly and choose a pet that fits their environment, budget, and personality,” said Thomas. “Starting with a manageable species ensures a positive experience for both students and teachers and we provide resources to help them make informed decisions.”

Social and emotional learning in action

While Pets in the Classroom focuses on small animals, the Dogs in the Classroom initiative shows how therapy dogs can support emotional regulation in students — helpful insight as districts consider expanding pet programs.

"Having two guinea pigs in our classroom has made a big difference for students," said Morgan Tash, fourth-grade science and social studies teacher at Inspiration Mountain School in the Deer Valley Unified School District. "They help reduce anxiety and give students a comforting presence during the day. The guinea pigs dress up for school spirit days, and help boost student/school involvement in different events. Everyone on our campus benefits from having a small, cuddly friend."

A recent school-dog study showed children with special needs experienced reduced stress when interacting with dogs, backed by significantly lower salivary cortisol and improved emotional regulation.

In a study involving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder participating in a 10-session reading program, those who read to a dog had 100% attendance, compared to 75% average attendance (ranging 25-100%) for children reading without a dog. Parent feedback also noted these students were significantly more motivated and willing to read at home.

Edutopia describes classrooms where hedgehogs, bearded dragons, guinea pigs — even tarantulas — help build decisions, routines and positive student-teacher trust. Students earn “veterinarian” roles, research animals and teach peers — a powerful empathy-building S‑E‑L cycle.

Teachers in underserved schools report that pets offer students their only experience of caring for a living creature, helping decrease fears and biases.

Rescues across Arizona are part of the initiative, giving schools a variety of options.  In metro areas like Phoenix and Tucson, classrooms can partner with outreach and therapy-dog programs through the Humane Society. Each organization offers a wealth of standards-based lesson plans and resources for teachers. 

"I actually applied and received the Pets in the Classroom Grant in 2022," said Tash. "The grant allowed me to get some of the essential supplies to get started, I got coupons for hay, bedding, and their guinea pig mansion (cage). Since receiving the initial set-up grant, I have been able to apply for a $50 supply reimbursement grant to help maintain the guinea pigs every school year."

This program is about cultivating emotional intelligence, engagement, attendance — and yes, academic gains — through living, breathing microcosms. It’s humane education plus curiosity-grade upgrade, wrapped into one manageable ecosystem, those involved said.

Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.