A report from Davy in 3rd Class

 

South West Education Officer Aoife and her Education Dog Brave paid a lovely visit to Scoil Eoin Naofa in Cork. A little boy from 3rd class called Davy came to Aoife at the end of the day to show her a report he had written after the workshop. Both his teacher and Aoife were so impressed with his beautiful handwriting and how carefully he had written up his report. Davy had remembered all the key Safety messages Aoife and Brave had taught the pupils during her visit.   Aoife made it clear that we must never approach a dog who is on his own.  However, when we are meeting a dog who is with his owner, we should use the WALT method: Walk slowly over to the owner, Ask the Owner, Let the dog sniff you, Touch the dog gently.

 

A huge thank you to Davy for letting us share his brilliant report on the blog and to all the pupils and staff at Scoil Eoin Naofa who were so kind and welcoming to Aoife and Brave.

Education Dogs Strike A Pose!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Education Dogs recently had their very own ‘photoshoot’ at Dogs Trust. The results will be used on our brand new Education stand for when the Education Team attends events around Ireland and in our new school flyers promoting our FREE Educational Workshops in primary schools. Whoever said you should never work with animals has obviously never worked with our professional canines! Jake, Sadhbh, Cónán and Béibhinn were ready for their close-ups – with the help of a few tasty hotdogs of course! These photographs were taken by our talented South West Education Officer, Aoife de Búrca.

 

A visit to Scoil Chroí Íosa in Blarney, Co. Cork

This week South West Education Officer Aoife and her dog Brave went to visit a fantastic school called Scoil Chroí Íosa in the lovely village of Blarney in Cork. The students and staff were so kind and welcoming and Aoife and Brave really enjoyed their time in the school.

Brave was so happy in the school he didn't want to leave! This was probably because all the children were really gentle and made him feel really at home, helping to make sure he had fresh water and toys to play with.  Aoife's visit focused on Safety around dogs we know and dogs we don't know, and the children learned lots of new information about our furry friends.

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much to Scoil Chroí Íosa for sharing these photos from the school blog.  You can read their article about the visit here:

 

http://www.scins.ie/index.php/school-blog.html

One Brave Education Dog

We thought you might like to know a bit more about our new South West Education Dog Brave the Greyhound, one of the most courageous dogs to have ever stepped foot in Dogs Trust. This September Dogs Trust hired a new Education Officer called Aoife. Aoife met Brave and it was love at first sight for both of them! Brave not only got a wonderful new home but he also got a job! Now that he has completed his training Brave is going to schools with Aoife in the South West Munster area teaching the dog owners of tomorrow how to be kind, caring and responsible owners. Here is Brave’s story in his own words:

 

 

　

Brave Before:

  

I was found chained to the fence at Dogs Trust in the middle of the night. I was so frightened, scared and cold as I watched my owner drive off and leave me. My front paw was badly broken. My owner had tried to use masking tape to fix it but it only made things worse. I was in so much pain and had lots of other old injuries that had never been treated properly. 

A nice man and woman at Dogs Trust quickly untied me, wrapped me in a big cosy duvet and whisked me straight to the vets. It was lovely to have someone care for me. I’d never had that before and I nuzzled in for cuddles on the drive. The vets ran all sorts of tests on me. I have a complicated joint problem in my ankle and wrist and a few small tumours. The vet managed to straighten out my front paw, it feels better already and they operated on the tumours too. 

I am going to need a very expensive surgery to my back leg in a few weeks time, I’m nervous but I know I’m in good hands. In a few more months my bones and scars will heal and in time so will my heart. Dogs Trust will love and care for me and in time find me a new forever home and for that I am one grateful Greyhound.

Love and hearts,

Brave xxx

　

Brave After:

 

 

 

Life is going great in my new home! I’m so happy. My favourite things are sleeping, hugs and meeting new people. At first I really didn’t like going out after dark but it’s not so bad now, I feel stronger and more confident every day.

I’ve got lots of training tips from Deirdre and Fiona, the other Education Officers about visiting schools and I’m really excited to be visiting so many lovely children. Aoife and I are getting to know each other really well too and I am learning lots of things 'As Gaeilge', just like the children in the school we meet!

Sometimes I miss the staff at Dogs Trust but I’m out exploring the world and in such a nice home. I haven’t had the best start in life but things are finally looking up for me. I love going to school and teaching children how to treat dogs properly, so no more dogs have to suffer the way I did.

Love and hearts,

Brave xxx

　

A visit to Clareville Montessori in Carlow

South East Education Officer, Deirdre, went to visit the lovely Clareville Montessori in Carlow last week. She brought a bag of lots of different things that a dog needs and all the children had a wonderful time picking things out of the bag and learning how to look after dogs. The children helped put out the bed for Sadhbh and Conan and make sure they had water in their bowl.

 

Then it was time to meet the Education Dogs! The children listened carefully about how to be calm and gentle around dogs and one by one they came up to the dogs, let the dogs smell their safe hand and gave the dogs a rub. It was great fun! Some children were a little nervous of dogs but Sadhbh and Conan are so friendly that they were able to come up and say hello and everyone understood how important it is to always ask the owner before you meet a dog.

The South Eastern team really enjoyed visiting this great crèche because the staff were all so kind and welcoming.

 

Visit to Barntown NS

Last week the South East Education Team visited Barntown NS in Co. Wexford.  Deirdre and her dogs Sadhbh and Cónán spent two days delivering workshops to Junior Infants through to 6^th class.  The pupils told Deirdre all about their dogs and the different things that dogs need every day to be healthy and happy.  The children heard the story of a very special dog called Patch and how he arrived at Dogs Trust to find a lovely new home.  They also learned how to safely approach a dog once they have the owner’s permission – the children got to practice their new skills by safely meeting Sadhbh and Cónán!

 

The staff and students of Barntown NS listened very attentively to Deirdre and her dogs and the children all received certificates to show they had learned all about Responsible Dog Ownership.  Thanks to teacher Miss. Mernagh for the photographs – you can check out her award-winning educational blog at www.missmernagh.com.

Puppy Love on Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the dogs and dog owners of Ireland! Here at Dogs Trust we love each and every one of the more than 160 dogs and puppies we have in our care. We know that you all love your dogs every day of the year too! The Dogs Trust Education Team thinks the best way to show how much your dog means to you is to make these 5 Promises to your dog and any other animals in your home:

Promise 1 - Love

I promise to provide my pet with love and attention.

Promise 2 - A home

I promise to provide my pet with a suitable place to live.

Promise 3 - Safety

I promise to protect my pet, to keep her or him safe and healthy.

Promise 4 - Food and water

I promise to provide my pet with a healthy diet.

 

Promise 5 - To be themselves

I promise to provide my pet with a life that she or he will enjoy.