So today, I decided to take my hamster into work. I work in a nursery of 3-5 year olds.

I heard that hamsters and other living creatures have a huge calming effect on children so I decided to try it out.

And I have never seen a change in certain children like that!
I had a child who had punched me recently stroking him calmly, another child who breaks things stroking him, a child who is very hyper making a hamster cage out of boxes and being calm and lovely about it, pretending to whisper not to wake his fake hamster up.

Basically, I just wanted to reccomend it. The children had so much fun today, they were inlove with the animal. and the hamster was so calm and happy with it all!!

I've read about this (http://www.kidneeds.com/diagnostic_categories/articles/animalassistedtherapy.htm) and am really intrested in the idea!

So I just thought I would share that :)

i agree my boys 8 and 5 have special needs the little one having a complexed diagnosis, towards other kids he can be very volatile, and adults the same he has to have medication every day, but he is so gentle with animals and is so caring towards them considering autistic people dont usual show there feelings easy, he worries if they are not well, can they come out with us plays for hours with the dogs stroking them, animals are fantastic for children to express there feelings and therapy play .

That's really lovely to hear, a neighbour of mine who is a Headmistress is interested in me taking my Lizards in to show to her pupils. But knowing todays totally PC correct Brigade, I'm wondering if there would be any Health And Safety issues. Just imagine (horror of horrors) if your Hammy had bitten one of your future chavs. It's a very sad society that we live in.
The worst damage my Lizzies could do is a severe nip, but a Richard Hammond could inflict a proper wound.

That's really lovely to hear, a neighbour of mine who is a Headmistress is interested in me taking my Lizards in to show to her pupils. But knowing todays totally PC correct Brigade, I'm wondering if there would be any Health And Safety issues. Just imagine (horror of horrors) if your Hammy had bitten one of your future chavs. It's a very sad society that we live in.
The worst damage my Lizzies could do is a severe nip, but a Richard Hammond could inflict a proper wound.ialso have parrots i have took these into the boys school they just loved looking at them and hearing about the care they need and what they eat etc if the chidren gather round sat on carpet and you hold the reptiles and explain about them i am sure you could give alot to a class of children without them getting bit i did and it help loads with there project on animals because i took feathers etc and after they spent the afternoon drawing birds, done in the right way and a little planning the kids would love it

I used to take my lovely blue Burmese lad Tico on visits to churches and schools on behalf of the Shelter. He was a very self assured cat and (in his total arrogance) loved all of the attention and was gentle and loving with the children, who were all enthralled with him.

Animals are good for children in all sorts of ways, including learning about responsibilities, caring for those who can't take care of themselves and lots of other things.

I still miss him and I miss seeing the smiling faces of the children when they get a snuggle too.

I used to take my lovely blue Burmese lad Tico on visits to churches and schools on behalf of the Shelter. He was a very self assured cat and (in his total arrogance) loved all of the attention and was gentle and loving with the children, who were all enthralled with him.

Animals are good for children in all sorts of ways, including learning about responsibilities, caring for those who can't take care of themselves and lots of other things.

I still miss him and I miss seeing the smiling faces of the children when they get a snuggle too.arrh thats lovely it brought a tear to my eye i want to get one of my frenchies registered as a pat dog he would love it he is so gentle and i will do it in the near future i have the forms, i took himto the kids halloween disco as a pumpkin frenchies are known for there clown like behaviour one problem though he has a wind problem like most bulldogs and isnt bothered where he lets off :hihi:

ialso have parrots i have took these into the boys school they just loved looking at them and hearing about the care they need and what they eat etc if the chidren gather round sat on carpet and you hold the reptiles and explain about them i am sure you could give alot to a class of children without them getting bit i did and it help loads with there project on animals because i took feathers etc and after they spent the afternoon drawing birds, done in the right way and a little planning the kids would love it

I would really love to do it. Would have to really look into the subject though as I don't know everything to answer all questions about them. That doesn't mean that I can't take proper care of them though. In fact I've just taken an egg out to be properly incubated.

awwwww i bet he had a great time...wouldnt like to try it with his mum, though shes a typical naughty tortie hehe

I would really love to do it. Would have to really look into the subject though as I don't know everything to answer all questions about them. That doesn't mean that I can't take proper care of them though. In fact I've just taken an egg out to be properly incubated.children just want to know the basics like where do they come from, what do they eat , what breed are they, the teacher will take the lead and i found it was good to answer questions on a hands up basis, just prepare a little speech and get your self off you will get so much from it take some skin in if they shed and as with the more unpredictable ones like 2 of my parrots could take them in a clear tank.

I've thought about offering to go into schools with the piggies to educate the young about correct care, never really pulled my finger out though

I was a but worried about the whole "it bites so he can't come in thing" but he doesn't bite unless provoked by a small brother of mine.
It was a really heart warming experience and would reccoment it to anyone!!

They'd love guinea pigs I reckon. They only have a fish as a pet at the nursery!