Bel Air, MD " March 24, 2011
The Pet Care Trust’s Pets in the Classroom program has received a grant of $10,000 from H.H. Backer Associates Inc. H.H. Backer Associates Inc. is a leader in the pet industry, specializing in trade publications, trade shows and educational conferences.
Pet Care Trust Executive Director Steven King expressed appreciation for the funding from H.H. Backer: “We are excited about the generous support from H.H. Backer, which will allow us to build on the incredible growth our program experienced in 2010, and reach even more teachers and classrooms in 2011.”
King said that H.H. Backer is well-known in the pet industry for its support of education for industry professionals, and he is pleased that the company recognizes the significance of the Pets in the Classroom mission.
The Pets in the Classroom program benefits students by teaching them responsible, long-term pet care at an early age and providing the psychological and developmental benefits associated with the human-animal bond. Studies have shown that caring for pets has a positive effect on children, improving school attendance and teaching children responsibility, as well as encouraging nurturing and building self-esteem.
“I value the Pets in the Classroom program tremendously,” said Patty Backer, president of H.H. Backer. “I think it’s very important for children to interact with animals for a number of reasons. It teaches responsibility and concern for another being through teamwork, feeding, shelter and care.”
Backer also noted that the Pets in the Classroom program offers unique opportunities for children. “In this day of technology, it is even more vital that our children have the opportunity to learn about animals in such an interactive way. Simply, being with pets make people better people,” she said.
The Pets in the Classroom program was established by the Pet Care Trust in 2009 to assist teachers in obtaining or maintaining classroom pets. In 2010, 2,066 grants were awarded to teachers across the United States and Canada through a simple online application process. The ultimate goal of the program is to reach 30,000 classrooms and impact 1 million children. For more information, please visit www.petsintheclassroom.org.