Wags and Whiskers
3rd Grade Education Program

Program Description:

This program was initiated in 2001.  Letters are sent each school year to all the 3rd grade teachers in Dearborn offering a one hour animal education session with the kids.   

The presentation includes information about the Shelter, responsible pet ownership with involvement from the class, a video (supplied by Purina), an activity book for each student (pictured below), and demonstrations.   

At right is the Activity Book given to each student which includes the do's and don'ts of how to safely approach dogs and prevent being bitten by a dog.

Participating Schools:

To date, over 1,038 students have been exposed to this animal education program.  In 2002, we did 22 programs in 12 schools, including 2 parochial schools, 1 in Melvindale, and one STAND group.  That is a total of 563 students, including the 25 fourth and fifth graders in the STAND group.  In 2001, we did 19 presentations in 11 schools for 475 students.

In 2001: 

Kathy Struk’s class at Long School
Anne Badynee's and Julie Serazio's classes at DuVall School
Julie Rollins', Donna Monas', and  Jeannette Fowler's  classes at River Oaks
Anne Karapas' and Laura Maas' classes
Amy Biolette's and Angie Gerrow's classes at Miller

In 2002: 

Divine Child
STAND (Students Taking A New Direction) Group
Guardian Lutheran School
Nowlin School
William Ford School
Lowery School
Snow School
Maples School
DuVall
Haigh
Howard
Miller
Evans in Melvindale

Photo from the STAND group at Snow School, 1/16/02:

Photos from Nowlin School (click on each photo to see a larger version of the picture):

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This is Ms. DeLaney's (back row on the left) 3rd Grade Class at Nowlin School (pictures taken on 2/12/02), shown with the Friends instructors, Nancy Beasley (last row on the right) and Connie Piernick (last row on the left).

 

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The program opens with Nancy (Ms. Beasley) talking about the Shelter and responsible pet ownership.

 

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Connie (Ms. Piernick) brings a bag full of items that are needed by responsible pet owners.  The students are asked to name items that they know pets need and as they name them, Connie retrieves that item from her bag and has the student hold it in front of the class.  Certainly, one of the most important items is love - represented by a red cardboard heart.

 

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After the video on responsible cat ownership is shown, the Activity Book is handed out, and Nancy (Ms. Beasley) reinforces the most important ideas shown in the Book such what is safe and unsafe about working with dogs, the outdoor dangers pets need to avoid, and when to call the Shelter for help.

 


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Page Last modified October 03, 2009
Copyright ©  Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter  All rights reserved.   Adoptions, Donations, and Volunteers always appreciated.
2661 Greenfield, Dearborn, MI 48120, 313-943-2697, friends@dearborn-animals.com,  www.dearborn-animals.com