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"New Study Highlights Educational Value of Pets in the Classroom"

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"New Study Highlights Educational Value of Pets in the Classroom"

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The Power of a Pet | Rustin Moore | TEDxOhioStateUniversity

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"Benefits of Children Growing Up with Pets"

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"Benefits of Children Growing Up with Pets"

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By: Andrea Mulder-Slater

Pets are a wonderful source of happiness and inspiration.

Educators have used animals in the classroom for decades. From a goldfish filled aquarium to the hamster who roams the classroom floor in his roller ball, there is no doubt that critters are a great educational tool. However, keeping a classroom pet takes a lot of time and effort. There is more involved than simply purchasing a small cage and a bag or two of food. There are a lot of factors to consider before taking the plunge. Here are a few of the pros and cons of having a critter in the classroom.
PROS

An animal in the classroom creates improved learning experiences for your students as all areas of the curriculum are enhanced. EG: Math (how much does a hamster weigh?) Science (what does a snake eat?) Geography (where does a ferret come from?) Social Studies (different cultures - different pets) and Language Arts (how can I describe the goldfish?)

Students can easily see, feel, touch and make connections to the wide world of animals.

Observing and caring for an animal instills a sense of responsibility and respect for life.

Enthusiastic participation on the part of your students.

Increased sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others - both animals and humans.

There will be an understanding that all living things need more than just food and water for survival.

Students will see how their behavior and actions affect others.

Less tension in the classroom.

Other classrooms can visit the classroom pets and students can create presentations for them.

CONS

Animals need food, water and most of all attention. Some, obviously more than others. You should be prepared to provide all of these things on a regular basis.

Its not enough to send students home with pets for weekends and holidays. Parent MUST be involved.

Your classroom must be suitable for the animal you choose to keep. Snakes, hamsters and rabbits all need a certain environment to be healthy. All it takes is a little research and homework to see if your classroom is pet-friendly.

Certain animals need room to roam. Can you provide this?

You must stick to the animal's diet. Bits of sandwiches and candy bars are not acceptable.

If you have a male and female hamster, rabbit or fish are you prepared for babies? Will you spay or neuter your larger pets?

If the pet becomes ill, are you able to care for it? Do you have a vet?

Do you have students with animal allergies/asthma? If so, choose a pet that won't cause problems.

If you are thinking of adding a pet to your classroom, please don't feel discouraged. Simply put, a pet is a big responsibility and you should always think before you act. As a teacher, the animal will become your responsibility and you should be fully prepared. Do you know any teachers who have pets in their classroom? Talk to them, they will be a great resource as you decide to bring a critter into your classroom. Of course, there is always the option of keeping a "virtual" pet. This could be a pet on the internet or a pet that you and your students create.

Still interested? The key is to choose a pet that you can safely and comfortably keep in your classroom. If that means one goldfish in a bowl, well than go out and find yourself a goldfish and call him Charlie. Why not?

Here are the most popular classroom pets:

More Information:

Pet Care Trust
This program is designed to help teachers that would like small animals as teaching aids or mascots etc. in the classroom, or to assist teachers who presently have animals, in obtaining supplies needed to care for the pet. The program offers grants of up to $150.00 for the purchase of small animals such as fish, hamsters, birds, as well as supplies. The folks at Pet Care Trust, feel that exposing children to the care and responsibility for animals is imperative in the development of good character and compassion in relationship to all living things. Too much time is spent killing and destroying as a pastime on the computer. The care of animals teaches children life affirming values.

Image: Pixabay

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By: Andrea Mulder-Slater Pets are a wonderful source of happiness and inspiration. Educators have used animals in the classroom for decades. From a goldfish filled aquarium to the hamster who roams the classroom floor in his roller ball, there is no doubt that critters are a great educational tool.

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The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the HSUS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390.

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"Classroom Pets Have Educational Value, New Study Finds"

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"Classroom Pets Have Educational Value, New Study Finds"

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A new study suggests the classroom pet is beneficial beyond the cute factor; having a pet in the classroom may provide real educational value through leadership skills and character building.

The study was published by the American Humane Association in collaboration with the Pet Care Trust and was called "Pets in the Classroom." It featured quantitative survey questions and interviews from 1,200 teachers nationwide to arrive at its findings.

According to a statement from the American Humane Association,

"Between November 2014 and February 2015, teachers who had received a Pet Care Trust grant and had cared for their classroom pet for at least three months were asked to participate in online surveys or phone interviews with American Humane Association researchers with the goal of learning about their experiences to date."

Despite some challenges to owning a classroom pet such as coping with loss and spending out-of-pocket money to care for the pet, the study found six objectives indicating the benefit of caring for a classroom pet, according to the company's statement:

To teach children responsibility and leadership via animal care.

To teach children compassion, empathy and respect for all living things, including animals, humans, nature, and the world we share.

To enhance and enrich a variety of traditional academic lessons, from science to language arts.

To provide an avenue for relaxation when children are stressed or when their behavior is unstable and/or challenging to manage (for both typically developing children and those with special needs).

To help students feel comfortable and engaged in the classroom and with their peers, so that the school environment is more conducive to quality learning, growth, and social connections.

To expose students to new experiences and opportunities (particularly for those who do not have pets of their own), which may translate to a decrease in unfounded fears and biases among children.

The next phase of the research will take a look at the benefit of classroom pets in select U.S. and Canada elementary schools for a controlled period of ten weeks to elaborate further on the first phase's findings.

Many teachers told the study's researchers about the profound impact classroom pets had on their students, especially students in low-income areas who are unable to have pets in their family.

"My school is a non-profit for homeless and low-income families. Our three little frogs have given these underserved children a wealth of love and responsibility," said one teacher.

"Many of my inner city students are unable to have a pet in their home because of apartment complex rules. This grant enables them to learn to care for all living creatures. I am so thankful for this reason," said another.

All in all, teachers said the classroom pet helped students build supportive relationships at school, create pride in the classroom, improve the management of behavioral issues, and more.

"Phase I of this groundbreaking study confirms our long-held belief in the inherent value of classrooms having a pet," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association president and CEO. "We hope through this study to examine and measure the degree to which these animals can help develop young people's academic growth and social and leadership skills, as well as instill in them the vital value of compassion, which will benefit them, the world's animals, and all of us throughout their lives."

Read more about the study here and comment with your thoughts below.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

07/23/2015

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Education World: Classroom Pets Have Educational Value, New Study Finds

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A new study suggests the classroom pet is beneficial beyond the cute factor; having a pet in the classroom may provide real educational value through leadership skills and character building. The study was published by the American Humane Association in collaboration with the Pet Care Trust and was called "Pets in the Classroom."

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Expert's Pick

Have you ever noticed that many preschool and kindergarten classrooms have a pet? It might be a simple as a hermit crab or fish or as elaborate as a guinea pig or rabbit. No matter the size or species of the animal, the process of caring for it is filled with enormous opportunities for learning. Young children learn science, math, literacy, and social/ethical skills through the many different ways they interact with the class pet.

1. Animals Are Science
Children are using science skills as they observe a hermit crab and notice how and when it moves, what it eats, where it sleeps. A class might draw pictures to record their observations...just like real scientists!

2. Animals Build Math Skills
Since hermit crabs live in shells, the teacher might bring in a variety of shells for children to sort, classify, and even graph bysize, color, or shape. These math skills are essential to your child's understanding of numbers.

3. Animals Build Literacy Skills
Combine children's natural fascinations with animals and their beginningreading and writing skills and you have a recipe for success. Children love to hear stories about animals, look at pictorial science books and "write" or draw their own stories about their new friend.

4. Animals Build Social/Ethical Skills
Perhaps most of all, animals teach children aboutcaring and responsibility. Taking care of something smaller than themselves builds important character skills. As you well know, your young child is naturally in a me-centered stage of development. The process of seeing to the needs of something less capable helps your child understand the importance of being responsible and empathetic.

5. You Can Do It Too!
You don't have to get a dog or cat for your child to experience these important animal care skills. Consider something simple like a goldfish, a hermit crab, or a mouse. Size does not matter - it is the process of caretaking that does.

Go to the library and get books about pets.

Have a family discussion about the kind of pet to choose and its needs.

Purchase a pet at a responsible pet store, or adopt one from a shelter.

Do research on the Internet and at the library for photos of your pet and more information on its needs.

Set up a schedule on the refrigerator for feeding, watering, and cleaning.

Encourage your child to draw pictures of your pet periodically to chronicle its growth and change.

If you can't have a pet, visit a nature center or zoo regularly to create a relationship with a particular type of animal.

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Have you ever noticed that many preschool and kindergarten classrooms have a pet? It might be a simple as a hermit crab or fish or as elaborate as a guinea pig or rabbit. No matter the size or species of the animal, the process of caring for it is filled with enormous opportunities for learning.

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"'Pets in the Classroom' program to teach life lessons"

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"'Pets in the Classroom' program to teach life lessons"

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'Pets in the Classroom' program to teach life lessons

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Watch the latest video reports from FOX 29 News in Philadelphia.

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"Beyond the Classroom: Animals in the Classroom? An Ongoing Debate"

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"Beyond the Classroom: Animals in the Classroom? An Ongoing Debate"

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I sometimes believe that animals have it more together than us humans. Ants and termites work together to build immense structures without complaint; dogs, cats and other domesticated small animals are loyal and provide joy to many, yet have only simple needs of food, fresh water and care. Animals in the wild don't gloat about or upload photos of their kill before they eat it. They have utmost respect for one another.

I am animal lover. From the time I was old enough to have an animal, I have never been without animals. We were taught as children when we took an animal into our family, we also took on the responsibility of making sure that their needs were met each and every day.

Cultures around the world incorporate animals or animal stories to instill social morals in their kids. Children tend to be kinder to other children when they are taught to be kind to an animal. Animals in the classroom add the element of compassion that our educational system often omits from the equation when test scores are valued over character.

Animals and sentience

Animals pursue their wants and needs as we do - with intentions and preferences. Their lives matter to them. Their desire for rewards is part of sentience - the capacity to feel. Sentience encompasses a universe of positive and negative physical and emotional experiences.

Most scientists today agree that all vertebrate animals - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish - are, to some extent, sentient. Children need to understand this.

Animals as teachers

Animals are powerful teachers, able to convey many messages without any words.

Gwendolyn Purdom, in the Washingtonian's "Teacher's Pets: Animals in the Classroom," shares some interesting points on how schools use animals to teach students confidence, compassion and other things they cant get from a textbook or the internet.

▪ Responsibility. From providing fresh water and food and maintaining the habitat, knowing that something depends on you is empowering.

Students bounce into my room in the morning to say hi to the animals and assume their role of caretaker. Some of them aren't allowed to have pets at home, so having a class pet allows them to experience interaction with animals, which helps them to experience new emotions, learn new skills and understand the feeling of having something dependent on them.

One of the main issues with keeping animals in the classroom is ownership. If the animal belongs to the classroom, who is responsible? This can lead to a quandary when it comes time for summer, school vacations or long weekends.

Animals should not be brought into a classroom or any environment for that matter without thoughtful planning for the future. It is unfair and moreover unethical to bring in an animal to the classroom only to abandon it at the end of the year. As such, this responsibility sits with the teacher.

▪ Empathy and Core Values. There will always be those who gain pleasure from others pain. But today, we are creating a different generation of children who lack empathy and emotion. Children who live in a virtual world and play video games where killing and wounding video characters occur without thought, let alone remorse. Texts are sent without emotion. The whole idea is quite chilling.

In my classroom, where you can find anything from pythons to hairless rats, I remind my students of their power and responsibility to respect animals. Too many children, especially those who have never had a pet, have the idea that animals don't count and many simply negate the fact that animals feel pain.

Kids learn that if they want to be liked and trusted by the family cat, they'll need to treat her carefully and kindly. This sort of training benefits all kids, but is especially important to small boys. What would happen to school violence if more classrooms incorporated pets into the curriculum?

▪ The Natural World. Environmental education is based on life experiences and should begin early in life. These experiences play a critical role in shaping lifelong attitudes, values, and patterns of behavior toward natural environments and the things that live there.

For many children, these opportunities are limited. Recreation tends to be indoors (internet, video gaming, watching TV); transportation tends to be by car rather than walking; education - where many children spend most of their waking hours - tends to be oriented more toward the classroom than the outdoors.

The result is that many young children risk never developing positive attitudes and feelings toward the natural environment or never achieving a healthy degree of familiarity with their environment.

▪ Knowledge. Having animals in the classroom provides kids with the opportunity for hands-on learning about some part of the natural world. They learn the animal's place of origin, dietary needs, life cycles, and personality tendencies. They work with substrates and get to know why which animal requires a specific typed. Students become icons of compassion as they show others how to respect the animals.

Animals as game changers

Animals in the classroom also provide a calming effect. From reading assistance dogs or the bubbles of an aquarium, the soothing effect of being alongside an animal allows some kids to deal with the struggles of school. For example, students have been known to practice so they can read better to their animal.

Even kids with no exposure to animals or nature in their home environment can see, feel, touch and make connections to the wide world of animals. Observing and caring for an animal instills a respect for life and an increased sensitivity and awareness of other people's feelings and needs. Lastly, studies show that the presence of animals tends to lessen tension in the classroom.

Animals Bring New Ways to Teach Things

Whether it's math ("how much does a hamster weigh?"), science ("what does a snake eat?"), geography ("what part of the world do ferrets come from?") or writing ("what words would we use to describe a goldfish?"), students will approach learning all these subjects with a new enthusiasm and interest.

Other classes can even come visit your classroom pets and your students can create special presentations about the animals.

Health

Studies show that children from families with pets are better equipped to fight off infection than kids from non-pet households, showing significantly higher levels of immune system performance. When school attendance records were compared side by side, researchers discovered that kids with pets averaged more days at school every year than their pet-free counterparts.

Emotions

Children often turn to their pets for emotional well-being, with 40% of children choosing pet companionship when feeling tired, upset, scared or lonely, and 53% of respondents said they enjoy doing homework with pets nearby.

Friendships

Animals such as cats, dogs and guinea pigs love human contact and can become a child's best buddy. Kids can even develop strong human animal bonds with non-responsive animals such as fish or turtles. These relationships help to strengthen a child's social skills, giving them the potential to do better in a school setting.

Dr Harvey Markovitch, pediatrician and editor of The Archives of Disease in Childhood says that being around animals is extremely good for children. He notes that animals are good for morale, and teach children about relationships and about the needs of another living being - caring for a pet helps them to learn how to care for people.

Self Esteem

Studies have shown that children with pets have higher levels of self-esteem than those without pets. Helping to take care of a pet gives a child a sense of pride and accomplishment, especially if the animal is able to return the affection. Children who care for a pet understands the importance of he/she does - and will typically want to continue it.

Serious Considerations Before Getting a Pet

Having a pet is not for everyone. Animals are not for entertainment or experimentation. Furthermore, the classroom should welcome only friendly and manageable animals. No animal should be brought into a home or classroom before its care - both financially and time/effort parameters - have been considered and committed to. As a parent or teacher, this means:

▪ You know what you are investing in and that it does not involve factory breeding or illicit trade in invasive or protected species;

▪ You know the needs of the animal and are committed to providing all that is required (There is a Pets in the Classroom program ( www.petsintheclassroom.org) that helps teachers offset costs of aquariums, bedding, cages, food and the animals themselves);

▪ You are aware of the need to protect the animal from over handling, accidents, and cruelty;

▪ You are aware of any safety/health issues pertaining to the handling of the animal or its materials;

▪ You are aware of any student health issues that would be affected by the presence of the animal;

▪ You are committed to maintaining a clean environment (kids can be in charge, but responsibility remains with the adult);

▪ You are prepared to ensure the care of the animal during vacations or weekends

▪ You are prepared to deal with disease or death.

Alternatives to a class pet

If you are not quite sure you are ready to take on the responsibility of an animal, you might:

▪ Sponsor and follow an animal from an animal rescue;

▪ Get involved with an animal rescue/refuge as community service;

▪ Borrow an animal from a family for a few days.

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Beyond the Classroom: Animals in the Classroom? An ongoing debate

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I sometimes believe that animals have it more together than us humans. Ants and termites work together to build immense structures without complaint; dogs, cats and other domesticated small animals are loyal and provide joy to many, yet have only simple needs of food, fresh water and care.

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"Dogs in the classroom help kids excel socially, academically"

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"Dogs in the classroom help kids excel socially, academically"

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In the middle of Ms. Archer's math test, you can expect to see some white sneakers and a few furry paws-that's because Sacred Heart Cathedral School is part of the HABIT dog program.

HABIT, which stands for Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee, is "a community group of volunteers working together to explore the circumstances and consequences of the human-animal bond and to promote this valuable bond between people and animals," the program's target="_blank">website states. These special pets help students learn more by helping the kids feel comfortable in the classroom.

"They take to the dogs, and when you have very high expectations, it seems to really help kids relax, and so it's been a very beautiful addition to see," Sacred Heart Cathedral School Principal Breen said.

Fifth grade teacher Emily Archer often brings her HABIT dog Nash into the classroom.

"Today they're taking a math test, and so it really helps calm them down, and just the general atmosphere in the room just seems to be a lot lighter and happier," Archer said.

East Tennessee has more than 500 HABIT dogs to bring comfort through the human-animal bond, from students to trauma victims.

HABIT dog owners work closely with the program at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. If you want your dog to be a HABIT dog, they have to have great manners and follow a structured schedule.

"What we are looking for is good family pets, has basic leash manners, the strongest qualities that the pet needs to have is that it loves to meet people, is comfortable in a lot of different social situations, and with a lot of different kind of people," East Tennessee HABIT program coordinator Ruth Sapp said.

With the animals' nurturing, relaxing and encouraging qualities, it's no surprise students take to HABIT dogs as their own.

"I have a dog as well, so it's just really comforting being able to pet a dog at school because it feels like I'm back home," fifth grade student Eric Domitrovic said.

If you'd like your dog to be a part of the HABIT program, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine is holding an informational meeting Wednesday, May 17 at 6 p.m. For more information about the meeting, click here.

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dogs in the classroom help kids excel socially

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Dogs in the classroom help kids excel socially, academically

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In the middle of Ms. Archer's math test, you can expect to see some white sneakers and a few furry paws-that's because Sacred Heart Cathedral School is part of the HABIT dog program.

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"Eye On Education: Dog Makes Big Difference In Special Needs Classroom

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"Eye On Education: Dog Makes Big Difference In Special Needs Classroom

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Eye On Education: Dog Makes Big Difference In Special Needs Classroom

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His name is Beamer, a 2-year-old yellow lab assistance dog. WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben reports.

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A recent Harvard Medical School report, "Get Healthy, Get a Dog," (http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/having-a-dog-can-help-your-heart--literally) highlights the many health and social benefits of having a dog, including reducing stress, being more active, and promoting social connection.

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"Dogs in classrooms? At these private schools, pets are all over the place"

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"Dogs in classrooms? At these private schools, pets are all over the place"

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Damian Jones's job interview at the District's Edmund Burke School went pretty well - he got the offer and started as headmaster in 2014. But one thing threw him: the little dog he saw panting affably at him from one of the classrooms.

"That was a bit of a shock," said Jones, who had come from a long career in Chicago private schools that had been entirely dog-free. Everybody knows, no dogs in school.

But hey, what's one little pooch? Then on his first day, a big, shaggy Labradoodle galumphed down the corridor on a leash. A tiny Chihuahua mix skittered out the back door on an urgent errand. There was a playful bark from the IT office and a deeper one from the physics room.

Jones called a meeting. This had to stop. Right?

It was news to Jones, but it turns out that Burke is just one of several independent schools in the canine-crazy Washington region that are dogs-allowed zones, with administrators and teachers regularly bringing their pets to frisk with the kids. Not service dogs or therapy dogs. Just dogs.

"He particularly likes the conference room, there's always food in there," Nancy Mellon, head of the River School, on MacArthur Boulevard, said of Tuck, the Norwich terrier who naps under her desk when he's not sniffing out contraband snacks. "He definitely loses weight during the summer."

[From the archive: Cuddly puppies help law students de-stress ]

At Beauvoir, the art teacher's little white dog is a common sight around the exclusive girls' school attached to Washington National Cathedral. When Dick Jung ran the Bullis School in Potomac, Md., his black lab, Lassie, attended almost every meeting.

"If I had to do anything tough, like when a kid knew he was going to be suspended, Lassie would invariably pick up on the emotion. It was, Come over, put head on lap and let the soothing begin. It was very helpful."

To the pet lovers who take their animals to school, all dogs are therapy dogs. (And cats? Cats are for bookstores. And YouTube.)

"The great thing about a dog is they just express affection, and that may be in short supply with a lot of these kids," said Jeff Sindler, who has taken a dog to school daily for more than 20 years. Now, it's Luke, an 80-pound chocolate lab who romps around the grounds of Burgundy Farm Country Day School in Alexandria, where Sindler is head of school.

Before Luke, it was Cameron, a terrier rescue who was the four-legged toast of Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy in a hardscrabble part of Baltimore. There, many of the neighborhood dogs snarled at a chain's end, and Sindler counted on Cameron to present a friendlier furry visage.

"Some of the kids who had the biggest personal struggle would form the strongest connection to the dog," Sindler said.

Public school systems in Fairfax and Montgomery counties in Maryland confirmed that non-service dogs are not allowed inside their buildings. Brian Edwards, a spokesman for Montgomery County public schools, cited county regulations that allow animals only on the grounds outside and only leashed, and on the condition that pet owners "immediately" scoop any resulting poop.

"The safety of our students is our first priority, so we have to guard against the possibility of dog bites, student allergies and the like," Edwards said.

Jung, now executive director of the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington, said his group has never surveyed its member schools to see how many allow dogs to pad along the hallowed halls. But he knows they are in there, sniffing the classes' hamster cages, waiting for the midday outing, snoozing through math.

"I have to put her in her crate when we do the projectile motion lab; [she] goes crazy trying to catch the balls," said Kelly Phillips, Burke's physics teacher and owner of Scarlet, a bouncy mixed-breed terrier who comes to school several days a week.

During a recent lesson on the Doppler effect, Scarlet slalomed among the legs of students who variously patted her passing head or ignored her. None seemed unnerved by a dog with more than a little pit bull in her genes.

"Every now and then, you can see a student who's a little hesitant," Phillips said. "I tell them on the first day of class, if anyone is scared of dogs, I'll leave [Scarlet] home on those days."

That some people are scared of dogs was the first thing Jones thought when he discovered his new school was rife with them, along with "some people are allergic to them" and "some people bring lawsuits about such things." The meeting he called was to declare Burke a no-dog zone.

But the dog owners beseeched him to think again. The kids love the dogs, they argued, and research showed the emotional benefits of animals in work settings. Google, they pointed out, allows dogs at the office. It all gave him paws, er, pause.

"They made good arguments," Jones said. "I agreed to see what other schools in the area do," Jones said.

What he saw: more dogs. At the Burgundy School, Luke padded along when headmaster Sindler took Jones around campus. The art teacher's little white dog buzzed by at Beauvoir. His daughter reported a puppy sighting at her own school.

Jones asked school lawyers whether there was any liability. "Of course, what you get is a yes and a no," he said. So he and the faculty agreed that the dogs could stay if they followed a clear set of guidelines: No free-range dogs; no dogs near students with phobias or allergies; signs on any classroom where a dog hangs out; all shots up to date and documented.

Now, three or four dogs make their way through the Burke halls each morning. Bodhi, a black Lab, chews toys in David Panush's IT office. Jackie, a "snickerdoodle" (or a hybrid of a schnauzer and a poodle), continues to tune out hours of band practice in John Howard's music room. Lenny, a nine-pound Chihuahua mix, snoozes on a bed in Susan Hearn's seventh-grade English class, making constant cameos in sample sentences.

"He's really big when we're on prepositions," Hearn said. "'Lenny is on the chair; Lenny is under the table.' "

[Lessons from a 16-year-old's 'on fleek' life - and her extraordinary death]

Lenny stepped up in a different way this month when a Burke senior, 16-year-old Abby Shapiro, died of cancer. On the day of the funeral, some of her friends came by to take Lenny with them on a walk. "I think he just makes them feel better," Hearn said.

"He's a lot better than a fish or gerbil, that's for sure," said Kalea George-Phillips, 12, during a break from learning the parts of speech.

Behind her, Lenny raised his head, wagged once. Then he went back to sleep.

Read more:

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Route 29 Batman is killed after his Batmobile breaks down in Maryland

Lawyers offered to pay this street band to stop playing. It said 'no.'

House of cards: Seven guys in a poker crash pad play Texas hold 'em for a living

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Dogs in classrooms? At these private schools, pets are all over the place.

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Damian Jones's job interview at the District's Edmund Burke School went pretty well - he got the offer and started as headmaster in 2014. But one thing threw him: the little dog he saw panting affably at him from one of the classrooms. "That was a bit of a shock," said Jones, who had come from a long career in Chicago private schools that had been entirely dog-free.