High school can be extremely busy and stressful, running from class to class with projects and homework piling up. It is no wonder that students feel stressed and overwhelmed. Luckily, there is a fuzzy friend in room 238 to help them out. “Merlin is always here for students.” Pennridge Science Teacher Sharon Fusco states. Merlin is a Jersey Woolly rabbit, a breed known for their calm and fuzzy presence. Merlin is a perfect representation of his breed’s temperament; he is the mascot for all unified sports and the official Therapy Bunny at Pennridge High School. “He loves being held, and I know holding him helps students to calm down,” said Fusco. Studies show that having a pet in classrooms can prevent students from having panic attacks and also help them calm down when they are experiencing an active event.
But how did Merlin come to be? Well, Merlin’s predecessor, Anthony, was acquired because Fusco had a student struggling to remain in school, and, Fusco being an excellent teacher, asked, “What would help you to stay in class and school?” The student then brought up the idea of a classroom pet. Conveniently, Christy Przybolowski breeds Jersey woolies, and luckily, she was looking to give away a bunny who wasn’t able to compete in competitions. “18 years ago, when my daughter was four years old, she wanted a bunny.” Przybolowski said, “In order to help her get her homework done, we got four for her.” Moving forward, Przybolowski then began to breed the jersey woolies, something she still does today. She tends to take the bunnies to school and brings them to the students. It’s a bit of an adjustment for some students, getting used to having animals around, but a lot of them enjoy the company. This wouldn’t just be a school thing either: “I would take them to nursing homes and other events.” She felt a sense of accomplishment and reward bringing the bunnies to the students. “Their attendance is up when the animals are around, and kids are excited to come to school every day.” When it came out that Fusco was looking for rabbits or Guinea pigs, Przybolowski was the first to help.
Students enjoyed having the rabbits in the classroom so much so that when Anthony passed away, Fusco got Merlin. “He is much more well-behaved than Anthony was; he is just content with sitting in your arms and cuddling.” Students have expressed a curiosity about having more animals like Merlin in Pennridge School District. Studies show that having a “no noise pet” can reduce stress levels significantly compared to animals such as a dog. A noisy and vibrant animal, such as a dog, pushes people to more of a physical state of mind, while a quiet animal pushes towards a more calming and relaxed state of mind. Having a quiet pet, such as a bunny, can move you towards more therapeutic routines in your daily life. Their calm behavior and care requirements provide people with a purpose and better responsibility.
Also, the quiet presence of a bunny can improve students’ moods. When they interact with the bunny, it gives off feelings of happiness and increases morale. This will generally uplift students’ moods since many dread staying in school. A result of this would be student engagement and the class being more motivated. When students are happier, they are more likely to be involved in class discussions, more collaborative on projects, and take on more challenges. Also, a class pet gives a sense of togetherness among students and makes everyone feel included.
Merlin is just one of the many examples of how having a therapy animal can be beneficial. When having a pet, a classroom environment can improve the morale and productivity of students. He brings an overwhelming amount of positivity to classrooms, whether it’s helping students feel comfortable, keeping a better learning environment, or even just making students feel like they are at home. Merlin has been a heartwarming blessing to Pennridge High School and may even influence future schools to implement animals more commonly into schools!
