Humane Education
Introducing!!! Exciting Free Programs for our Schools!!!
A Liberty School kindergartner practicing brushing the teeth of the demonstration dog, "Buddy".
If you’re reading this article, you are probably interested in education and finding out what’s up at Petaluma Animal Services for our kids. Well, have we got good news for you!
PAS has launched a Humane Education Program that has a wide assortment of animal lessons for your children’s classrooms. Since the Spring of 2009, a team of shelter volunteers has been going into local schools to talk about animals, covering pre–school to eighth grade.
For the younger set, we teach areas such as basic animal care, disaster preparedness for our pets, dogs with jobs in the community and dog bite prevention. For middle school students, we have lessons on preventing animal cruelty, pet overpopulation, animal behavior/body language and careers with animals. Three new programs we added this year are on animals in literature and mythology, busting animal stereotypes and helping animals by helping the planet. Nearly all of our lessons include a demonstration dog.
Cinnabar School is another kindergarten class with "Cricket" as the demonstration dog and we are discussing taking good care of our pet friends.
The response to the classes we have taught has been extremely positive. Both students and teachers have told us how much they learned, how excited their students were and best of all, what a gift it is from the shelter to provide these great lessons for FREE. Here’s what we heard from one Valley Vista teacher: “The lessons were well paced and very hands–on, we loved (the dog).” And from Cinnabar School, “My class is still talking about you and “Cricket”. Thank you for the wonderful visit. It made a big impact on the kids. I will spread the word!”
The way to change attitudes about caring for animals is with our youth. Please be Our Voice! Help us to help them by talking to your friend, neighbor, sister or child’s teacher about bringing humane education to their classroom. For further information or to schedule a lesson, call or email Donna Forst, Humane Education Director, at 775-9241 and at p.a.s.education@gmail.com.
Please read our brochures for the following grade levels:
New Lessons for the 2009/2010 School Year!