Our fish tank in the Learning Center, where our kids do their homework and work with their tutors, is very helpful to get our children in the right space to focus on their schoolwork.

“The fish tank in the Learning Center helps provide some calm energy—fish bobbing around, water flowing through the filters, [and] dim light refracting through the water,” Vice President of the Academy Patrick Bittorf said.

Our fish tanks aren’t just located where they can help the children in our care, but also in our Admissions waiting area. Families coming to learn more about Mercy Home have often commented that they find the presence of the fish tank relaxing.

“Our fish live very simple lives and our youth, unfortunately, do not,” said Admissions Clinician Dennis Bourne. “So, seeing the fish swimming, floating, playing, and being cared for represents both a regulating and aspirational activity.”

Bourne also noted that the fish tanks also provided benefits to the Admissions coworkers who care for the fish and the tank.

“We tend to adopt anyone who lives or works in our hallway, and that includes our fish,” he explained. “We mourn together when the fish die. There’s a team-building aspect to their presence as well.”

In addition to the therapeutic benefits, the fish tanks at Mercy Home serve another purpose: teaching our kids about how to properly care for pets. In fact, we rely on some of our kids to help us feed the fish and maintain their tanks!