Getting
into Schools
School children are perhaps the most important audience
for a dog warden. They are the dog owners of tomorrow
and they also greatly influence their parents’ behaviour
and decision-making. Children love pets and will be receptive to what you
have to say, therefore paying regular visits to the schools
in your area should be a priority. Don’t leave
a visit until there’s a stray in the school playground – it
only adds to the misconception of the dog warden being
a ‘dog catcher’ and doesn’t do you
any favours.
Make contact with each local school via a letter, phone
call or visit. Arrange a time to go in and talk to the
children about the role of dog wardens and communicate
the responsible dog ownership key messages.
It may be easier to get into some schools than others,
but it’s worth persevering and finding ways that
suit you and the teachers.
- Agree to run a competition
among the schoolchildren offering small prizes
(try to get sponsorship for the
prizes if you don’t have a budget)
- Agree to
do a trial session with a small group of children
to see how they react and let the teacher
judge if it
would be a good idea to extend it to the rest
of the
school
- Bring a real dog with you to demonstrate
that they are not dangerous animals
- Link up with a
local charity e.g. Guide Dogs for the Blind and demonstrate
its role and
benefits to
the children
- Be available to visit at the
teacher’s
convenience
- Explain to the teacher the importance
of teaching children the principles of
responsible
pet ownership
for their
own good and the good of the whole community
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