The Effect of Pet Ownership on ESL Students’ U.S. Academic Success

Author

Emily Benjumea, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Date of Graduation

12-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Animal Science

Advisor/Mentor

Shoulders, Catherine

Committee Member/Reader

Rosenkrans, Charles F. Jr.

Committee Member/Second Reader

Yancey, Janeal

Abstract

This study examines the academic success of English as a second language (ESL) students based on ownership of and/or relationship with a pet, due to pets’ ability to benefit and support their owners. A survey was compiled for middle school, ESL students in the Fayetteville, Arkansas school district. The goal of the study was to discover if pet ownership has an effect on ESL student academic success in terms of the academic, social, and emotional aspects of school. It was found that pets aid in some academic aspects of school but more so in the social and emotional aspects such as making friends, extracurricular involvement, bullying, and feeling overwhelmed.

Keywords

Pets; Academics; English learner

Citation

Benjumea, E. (2017). The Effect of Pet Ownership on ESL Students’ U.S. Academic Success. Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/anscuht/16