Meet Roger. The small, brown-eyed, baby bunny found his way to Darah Zurit's classroom at Laraway School on a recent Monday---just for a visit. Students read. Roger perked up his ears to listen. Students learned math. Roger twitched his whiskers rhythmically, as if counting.. Students returned from lunch. Roger wiggled his nose, zeroing in on the aromas wafting in from the cafeteria.
We are well aware of the benefits of animals in our lives. People with pets are likely to experience lower stress levels. Pets are like "forever toddlers"---there are always happy to see us when we arrive home after a long day at school or work. Researchers have identified positive physiological responses to pet ownership, including enhanced cardiovascular activity. The Mayo Clinic, in an online article, reported on the many benefits to animal assisted therapy. These include significant reductions in pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue. For more information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342
Back to Roger, the presence of a warm and welcoming, super-fuzzy bunny in a classroom presented the students with a furry "friend" to gently hold, talk with and care for. Rabbits do not criticize. They do not judge. They sniff our fingertips, wriggle in our arms and teach us to be gentle---like them.
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