Sorry, everyone. No matter how hard you work in class, you’ll never replace the fuzzy fellows that come first in the hearts of these teachers.

Whether they’re offering comfort like Chinese teacher Jing-Nan Gea’s dog Charlie or playing rambunctiously like photography teacher Chuy Benitez’s black lab Ruby and mutt Sally, pets play an integral role in the daily lives of teachers.

Some teachers choose to name their animal friends after their favorite subjects, like history teacher Melinda Sloan, featured here with presidential pups Teddy and McKinley, and Coach Richie Mercado, whose feline is named J.J. Watt.