The document outlines establishing an education program to teach responsible dog ownership. It discusses prioritizing education to achieve long-term aims of reducing stray and abandoned dogs. The education officer has been engaging the local community by visiting schools. The program will identify key messages, target audiences, and creative workshop activities using natural resources. Workshops will cover what dogs need to be happy, responsibilities of ownership, and safety around dogs. The goal is to educate future owners on proper care so dogs can enjoy happy lives.

1. Establishing an Education
Programme

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. LET’S GET CREATIVE!!

11. 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

12. 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!

13. 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

14. 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!

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Community Engagement
Who could help you establish
your programme?
• Schools/Teachers
• Vets – knowledge and resources
• Graffiti artists
• Local authorities, e.g. Police
• Council/Municipals

19. 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/

20. Thank You and Good Luck!
Contact the Education Team at Dogs Trust
educ@dogstrust.org.uk