environment by making a mess, tearing up school papers and posters. Tellem further warns that a turtle might bite (and not let go until the person relaxes) or pinch small fin- gers when retreating back into its shell. These days, she prefers to share an educational DVD that shows turtles at their best—in their own habitat. (Find more informa- tion at Tortoise.com.)


“Constant artificial lighting goes against


the natural sleep cycle of an animal,” com- ments Veterinarian Amber Andersen, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. “You can see it at shel- ters—dogs and cats are unable to achieve a restful sleep and become agitated.” Too often, the responsibility for caring for a classroom pet falls on the teacher during holiday breaks and summer months. “We had a popular chinchilla that was usually nocturnal, but also made appearances during the day,” says Manrique. “Then one of the teachers brought her dog to school, which caused stress for the chinchilla. When a new student had an allergic reaction to the furry creature, we had to find a new home for him. Our next pets were fish.” Manrique’s students have also secured fertilized eggs from a local farmer to watch them hatch before the chicks returned home to the farm. “When we had caterpillars that turned into butterflies, a fun field trip to the park became the official winged release party,” she says. There is always the chance a pet might die during


the school year. Parents are advised when a classroom pet dies and students have a classroom discussion to help them work through their grief. Lisa Cohn, co-author of Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, in Portland, Oregon, wrote the book with her son, Michael, after the sudden death of their dog, Lucy, as a way to help them deal with their sadness. The Humane Society of the United States is not in favor of classroom pets. To avoid being vulnerable to predators in the wild, animals often hide symptoms of illness or injury. In captivity, that behavior can delay veterinary help. Recommended alternatives to bringing animals into the classroom include field trips to nature centers, wildlife refuges and animal shelters. The society’s Kind News magazine for students from kindergarten through sixth grade shares stories of rescued animals, pet care tips and how-tos for nurturing backyard wildlife (HumaneSociety.org). Before deciding on a classroom pet, consider life from the pet’s point of view—how loud is the class, how old are the kids, how much maintenance will be needed and how much space is needed for a proper habitat. There might be a better way to learn—and teach.


Contact Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mind spring.com.


natural awakenings September 2014


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