The Power of Pets in the Classroom: Supporting Student Growth and Well-Being

Did you know that therapy dogs and small pets in the classroom can have a profound impact on students? From improving reading fluency to supporting emotional regulation and boosting student engagement, animals in educational settings provide unique benefits that help students thrive.

Technology. A routine Crowdstrike software update caused millions of Windows-based systems to crash, underscoring how reliant we are on these internet connections. Surgeries, airline flights, and 911 services were all off-line for a while, negatively impacting thousands of lives. Also, this past year’s threat of shuttering Tik-Tok reminded us of the delicate balance between accessibility and privacy in the global digital community.   

Legal. Formal decisions regarding Presidential immunity, the conviction of alleged sex trafficker Sean “Diddy” Combs, public support for Luigi Mangione, book banning, and abortion laws topped the year’s list of most impactful cases. 

Health. Ozempic and its fellow weight-loss medications continued to storm the market. Also, about 65 human cases of Bird Flu were diagnosed in 2024. Additionally, statistics showed rising numbers of children, teens, and young adults negatively impacted by mental health conditions. 

Sports: The summer Olympics in Paris captured our attention. Simone Biles returned to gymnastics and the US won the most gold medals across all competitions. Also, Juan Soto signed a $762 million contract with the NY Mets, making him the highest paid athlete in history.

Economy: According to NPR, employers added about 2 million jobs this past year and unemployment rates remain low. Also inflation continues to be a very real challenge for anyone trying to pay bills, shop at the grocery store, or buy gas.