Every other week, third, fourth, and fifth grade students move to other classrooms for a half hour, to meet at different clubs. These are clubs they have chosen from a list available.
One of those clubs is the very popular Pet Care Club, run by teacher Donna Mathias.
A recent session’s guest speaker was Emily Turner, a former FRES student, and manager at Petco. According to Donna, “Emily has been very generous and comes both semesters for the last several years.”
This visit with Emily brought a return visitor, her bearded dragon, Puff. Emily spoke about what it takes to care for a bearded dragon- including costs, habitat, diet, life span, and vet bills! Yes, three-year-old Puff went to the vet, and it was VERY expensive. She got a clean bill of health! The students had a chance to feed Puff, and this was an extra treat for the little dragon, as well as for the kids! She was fed live cockroaches and mealworms, a little more that she would usually get at a usual mealtime, but the beardie was not complaining! She was very docile, and each student had a turn at holding her. Emily took questions and had a short power point presentation.
Another special visitor, there for the whole day, was Tiny Tim. Snuggled inside of the teacher’s jacket was a tiny little rescue puppy, weighing only 2.5 pounds. Donna Mathias runs Almost Heaven Animal Rescue and in early April took in 6 little puppies. Tiny Tim is the runt of the litter and needed a little extra TLC.
“Tiny Tim spent the day in my classroom and was one of the ambassadors for the Pet Care Club. There are some lessons that aren’t written in the books but serve to make the world a better place. Kids just have an innate love for animals that makes my heart happy! Each one got to hold and love on him.” He went home that day a “very spoiled (and tired) little puppy!”
The Pet Care Club is always looking for volunteers to come in and share their work with animals. And, of course, the animals are always welcome!
