Using rabbits as emotional support animals came about as a response to school shootings. Each time I heard about another incident, I felt like I was dying inside. School has always been my safe space and the thought of someone creating such harm in a setting for children really upset me to my core. The state troopers visit our school yearly with training to respond and survive a shooter. I feel it’s better to be proactive instead of reactive. In order to find peace, I began researching the causes of school shootings. It became my mission to find a viable solution to this devastating phenomenon.
This search led me to ACES (adverse childhood experiences) and how a lack of resilience could undermine a child’s ability to find love and support. It seemed that most schools were still enforcing a “3 strikes” policy; threats of punishment are an everyday occurrence. The world is a different place and has different needs. Perhaps we need to reset our pedagogy and our approach to classroom management.
I learned about social justice but felt it was such a huge change to our system, that I couldn’t do it alone. My next step was to explore ways to improve the school environment. Somewhere along the way I found information about providing an emotional support animal to the school setting. This idea felt like something I could do.
I started my journey to find the ideal pet for school. I visited schools that had pets in their library to gain some background knowledge. Then I began searching for various animals based on their size, mass appeal, and best suited to be with students. Chinchillas are popular, but are nocturnal. They may not like being awakened to be handled by a crying child. Reports supported my reasoning, as they bite occasionally. Rats seemed like a great option, except that many people have a strong aversion to them. There are too many allergies to cats and dogs. Fish cannot be petted and turtles can only do so much. These are all wonderful animals. I am an animal lover, I wanted the best fit for my school.
Finally I considered rabbits. They are diurnal, so they might not be grumpy during the day. I began to search for the best breed for children. Mini-lops are known for their sweet disposition and are the most popular breed for families. I felt like I had found the right animal. Students and teachers who had rabbits came to me with wonderful suggestions and stories about their own cherished pets. . It seemed sweet to get two, so I started looking for a bonded pair.I found a rabbit rescue with a pair of bonded female rabbits, that were five months old. I brought them home and prepared myself for Monday morning.
Who is Happy Buns?
Umi
Umi is two years old. She is food motivated, but often sleeps through snack time. She twirls between bites of banana.
Scarlett
I am a retired educator an am passionate about bringing more happiness to our world.
Hester
Hester is two years old. She is an excellent communicator and has mastered the art of begging.