Establishing an Education

Programme

Today’s objectives

• Explain how prioritising

education achieves long-term

aims

• Identify ways to approach and

engage the local community in

your education programme

• Demonstrate a resourceful and

creative approach to animal

welfare education

My Role

• Essex Education Officer

• I have been a Teacher for 6 years

• I previously delivered Maths, English

and ICT to young offenders and young

people at risk

• I have been establishing the Essex

education programme by engaging with

the local community

• I have now visited numerous schools in

my area

Why Prioritise Education?

By educating the dog owners of

tomorrow about responsible dog

ownership, we can improve the

issue of stray and abandoned

dogs in the UK.

“Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy

life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction”

Key Questions to Consider

• Why?- Why do you want to set up an education

programme?

• What?- What key messages will you be

delivering?

• Who?- Who will be your target audience?

• Where?- Where will you be teaching?

• How?- How will you get your messages across?

• When?- When will you do your workshops?

Choosing your key messages

• Think of 3 things you would like

to focus on

• What are main welfare issues in

your country?

• What are the key messages you

would like your audience to take

away with them and pass on?

Workshop Structure

• Introduce yourself and your

organisation

• Outline why you are there and what

the children will learn during the

workshop

• Offer a range of short, fun activities

• Allow time for questions and

answers

• Revisit objectives and check what

the children have learnt

Our Workshops and Assemblies

Activity ideas

• Drama and Role Play

• Discussion and Debates

• Sorting and Matching Card Games

• Worksheets

• Props and animal care items

• Arts and Crafts

• Quizzes

• Physical Games

Dogs Trust Key Messages

What a dog needs to be happy and healthy

• What items you will need for your dog?

• What are the daily duties required of you as a dog owner?

Responsible dog ownership

• Your responsibilities to your dog and the community

• What you need to consider before getting a dog

How to stay safe around dogs

• How to approach and stroke a dog safely

• Consider that dogs have boundaries just like we do

LET’S GET CREATIVE!!

Natural Resources

• Resources for workshops

do not have to be

expensive or complicated

• There are many things

within our surroundings that

we can utilise very

effectively

Pebble Pets

• Key message: What a dog needs to

be happy and healthy

• Allows for important conversations

about empathy, respect and

responsibility: If “Patch” was real, what

would you need to do to make sure

he’s healthy and happy?

• These are easy to find and fun to

make!

Pet Toys

• Key message: A dog’s needs and

responsible dog ownership

• This highlights the importance of

exercise, mental stimulation and

reward-based training.

• Lots of fun and easy to resource.

You can use rope or old pillows and

towels

Pet Beds

• Key message: A dog’s needs and

safety around dogs

• Talk about why dogs need a bed of

their own and how we should be

aware that they too need space

sometimes, just like us

• You just need an old pillow and a

towel or jumper. No sewing required!

Masks

• Key message: Responsible

dog ownership and a dog’s

needs

• The masks can be used to

carryout short role plays

where each child takes on a

different role – dog, child,

adult, charity worker, vet etc

Kongs and Food Toys

• Key message: A dog’s

needs and safety around

dogs

• This explores the importance

of a healthy, balanced diet as

well as boundaries that need to

be respected and how a dog

uses its senses

Sock Puppets

• Key message: How to stay

safe around dogs and a

dog’s needs.

• The masks can be used to

carryout short role plays where

each child takes on a different

role – dog, child, adult, charity

worker, vet etc

Community Engagement

Who could help you establish

your programme?

• Schools/Teachers

• Vets – knowledge and resources

• Graffiti artists

• Local authorities, e.g. Police

• Council/Municipals

Useful Websites

• www.dogstrust.org.uk

• www.learnwithdogs.co.uk

• http://www.animal-education.org

• www.ICAWC.org.uk

• http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/

• http://www.peta.org.uk/

Thank You and Good Luck!

Contact the Education Team at Dogs Trust

educ@dogstrust.org.uk