The Polanco family household includes a small zoo: Two dogs, two hamsters and a tarantula named Chilly — or is it Chili?

“We don’t really know,” says 8-year-old Payton Polanco, a second-grader at Manchester GATE Elementary School in Fresno.

What’s for sure, though, is that Payton loves animals. One day, she hopes to be a veterinarian.

Her determination to work hard, earn good grades and help out by donating her birthday money to various charities each year shows she will have success in her future career.

Case in point: Once, she was horseback riding — one of her favorite pastimes — and she fell off five times. But she kept getting back on — even after the horse rolled over on her.

Her mother was worried, but the injuries weren’t too serious and Payton brushed herself off.

“She pays attention to every detail, listens to every word, and gives over a hundred percent on her work,” said Payton’s teacher, Jill Nakamura. “She is every teacher’s dream student.”

The feeling is mutual. Asked if she likes hanging out with her friends at school, Payton replied: “Yes. Especially my teacher. She’s really funny.”

In addition, Payton is part of a chess club, sings in the school choir, participates in school plays, tap dances, plays the piano, competes in soccer, ice skates, is a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and performs in the Children’s Musical Theater.