Did you have a school pet before? Well if you didn't, it's time to get asking for some, because as weird as it may seem, having an animal around students actually has a few little perks. Studies show that school animals helps students' social interaction, attitude improvement, positive behavioral impacts. Moreover, the biggest advantage of school pets is the emotional improvement of the pupils' wellbeing.
Studies show that when there are animals present in classroom settings, students start paying attention and are more likely to follow instructions and focus on a task. It also enhances the attitudes of pupils towards school, gradually aiding them to learn responsibility, respect, and empathy.
At Headington school, a gerbil (the name is Petunia), a fish tank, is kept, and a gecko was kept. Most students find them endearing and like to gently handle them from time to time.
In the boarding house, a cat or a dog is the most common, they offer an immense support to the students mentally, and builds a good relationship between the students and teachers.
Fish are often a popular choice of school pets, as they are relatively low maintenance, and people often achieve a well short rest while gazing at them. A few other loved creature homed in schools are gerbils, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
One of the pupils said:
It's quite comforting, especially for a stressed student, and they're fun to take care of."
As we get increasingly more conscious about the student body's wellbeing, more and more UK schools are equipped with school dogs over the past 6 years. Many schools have expressed these four-legged friends were notably advantageous.
In Oxford, The Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary is a good place for adopting animals in need of rehoming, but one should be well-prepared before heading for adoption.
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