A New Dawn for the Education Team!

The Education Team has some great news - we are expanding! At the moment the team has three Education Officers: Fiona in Dublin and the East, Deirdre in the South East and Liadh in the South West. However, we are delighted to announce that we have a brand new Education Officer, Dawn Kavanagh, who will be covering the Clare and South Connaught region. Let's find out a bit about her.

 



 

 

Hi Dawn, tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi, my name is Dawn Kavanagh and I’m a bit of a mixed breed being Irish but with an English accent! I have a Masters in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and am also a fully qualified secondary school teacher.

 

Why did you want to work for Dogs Trust?

Dogs Trust's philosophy of never putting a healthy dog down is something I really admire, and especially needed here in Ireland. I truly believe the key to improving welfare for all animals is education, and Dogs Trust education programme is doing just that. This really is a dream role for me, combining my education and animal welfare passions!

 

Do you have a dog of your own?

I do have a dog, a rescued Yorkshire Terrier called Katie. However she’s a little old lady at 14 and so is too old to come to workshops with me, and is currently enjoying all that retirement has to offer. I am hoping to give a Dogs Trust dog a new home soon, and so will be working with our Training and Behaviour advisor to adopt a dog who will be trained and then assessed to become the next Education Dog, so watch this space!

 

How have you found your first few weeks as part of the Dogs Trust Education Team?

They have been fantastically busy. I’ve been very lucky to have spent time with each of the Education Officers who have filled my head with great ideas about the workshops that I’ll be giving. I’ve really loved the reception that we receive when we go into schools and can’t wait to start visiting the schools in my area!

 

You will be bringing our educational workshops to a brand new part of Ireland. What areas will you be visiting?

I will be visiting the primary schools and community groups in Clare, Galway, South Roscommon and South Mayo in my bright yellow Dogs Trust car.

 

You helped man the Education Station at our Supporters’ Event at our centre in Dublin recently. How did you find the experience?

It was lovely to see so many supporters of Dogs Trust at the event. I got to meet loads of children who were all keen to be Responsible Dog Owners and was very impressed with the Poo Bag designs they made as part of our colouring competition! I also got to meet lots of adopted Dogs Trust dogs with their new families, which was lovely, and some of them helped me out while I was presenting our Responsible Dog Owner Quiz by barking in all the right places!

 

What are your plans for you Summer workshops?

I’m booked to give workshops in Claremorris, Ballinrobe and Kitimagh libraries in August, but as this is a new area for the Education Team I have lots of free slots for new bookings. It would be great to hear from summer camps and community groups who would like me to bring our fun, educational and FREE workshops to them.

 

 

If you would like to book a workshop with Dawn you can contact her on 086 832 3325 or at dawn.kavanagh@dogstrust.ie.

 

If you would like to book a FREE Dogs Trust Educational Workshop in your area this Summer, contact education@dogstrust.ie.

 

Supporters' Day 2014

Before - ready to rock!

  

This Tuesday and Wednesday Dogs Trust held its annual Supporters' Day event, welcoming over 700 people to the Rehoming Centre.  As usual, the Education Team was on hand to partake in the festivities with our very own Education Station!

 

 

Dawn, Liadh and Fiona are ready to 'paw-ty'!

 

At the Education Station the children learned all about Responsible Dog Ownership.  The children participated in a colouring competition where they designed their own 'scoop-the-poop' bags.  There were prizes galore and everyone got a lovely green poo bag holder donated by the Green Dog Walkers Campaign.

 

Hard at work

 

Next was the 'Who Wants to Be A ... Responsible Dog Owner?' quiz on the big screen.  The children answered questions about how to be a good dog owner and keep their dogs happy and healthy.  Chris Tarrant, eat your heart out!

 

Do you want to phone a friend?

Fiona takes the mic

 

There was also a fabulous touch screen monitor bursting with games and fun facts about our doggy friends.  We're sure that everyone left the Education Station bursting with new information to share with friends and family.





Technology wizards

 

Before they left, the children also coloured in some lovely pictures of the Canine Gang dogs and with a goody bag for everyone who participated, no-one left empty handed.   A great day was had by all and the Education Team is looking forward to the next event already!

 

 

Wowing the crowds

 

Angel stopped by to lend a paw!







No Hot Dogs or Melted Mutts!

 

 

  

Hi, I’m Cónán, one of the Dogs Trust Education Dogs. Now that summer is finally here and the temperature is rising, I'd like to share with you some very important advice so that your precious pet doesn’t become a Hot Dog!

 

 

 
• Remember, dogs cannot cool down as easily as humans: While humans get sweaty all over when they are hot, dogs like me only sweat from their paw pads. We rely mainly on panting to keep us cool – easier said than done!
 
 
• Make sure your dog always has plenty to drink: Dogs need to drink lots of water to keep themselves cool. Us doggies will drink more water than usual when the weather is hot so make sure we always have fresh, clean water in our bowls.

 

 
  
 

• Never leave your dog in the car, even if it feels cool outside: Remember, dogs find it harder to stay cool than humans, so what seems cold to you might seem warm to us! Dogs left in cars have been known to suffer from heat stroke and even die L


 
 
• Parking in the shade or leaving the car window open does not make it safe: Even with the window down, it is always hotter in the car than it is outside. Think of a car as a bit like an oven: air finds it hard to get in and out. We don’t want any melted mutts!


 
 
• If you are driving with your dog, avoid the hottest part of the day when possible and try to use a sunblind in the window: This will make the journey much more comfortable and enjoyable for your furry friend.
  
 
 
• Keep plenty of water on hand in the car and make sure to take breaks: This way your dog will arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed – not frazzled and stressed! Maybe you could even ‘paws’ yourself and take a short stroll with your pal to get you both some fresh air.
  
 
 
• Some breeds of dog need a summer groom: Some breeds of dog have lots of fur that will need to be cut or trimmed to make sure they don’t overheat when the weather is warm. As you can see from this photo below, I’ve just been to the groomer to have my furry coat cut short. I kept my handsome beard though – and I think I look ‘pawsitively’ amazing! ;)
 

 

Check out our Dogs Trust ‘Hot Cars Kill Dogs’ campaign video on YouTube – and be sure to share with all your friends!

 

 

Welcome Back Liadh!

The Dogs Trust Education Team is delighted to welcome back Liadh Fitzgerald, our South West Education Officer.  Liadh is very excited to be returning to the team and to resume visiting primary schools and community groups in Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

Liadh first became an Education Officer for Dogs Trust in 2010 and has been delivering workshops ever since in the company of her Education Dog, Molly.  Molly is a fabulous three-legged, white German Shepherd who has been dedicated to educating the children of South West Ireland all about Responsible Dog Ownership and Safety Around Dogs.  She has never let having three legs hold her back and has been a firm favourite with everyone she meets.

However Molly is now 9 years old - that's 63 in human years - and has decided that the time is right for her to retire, as health is not the best.  As an Education Dog, Molly has delivered at least 4 workshops a day, 4 days a week by Liadh's side - a heavy workload for a dog half her age!  She's now looking forward to lazy days spent curled up on the couch with her favourite dog treats.  The Education Team would like to thank Molly for her years of bringing joy to the classroom and hope that she thoroughly enjoys her retirement.

Liadh is currently taking bookings for her summer workshops in Cork, Kerry and Limerick, so if your summer camp, local library or other organisation would like a visit from Dogs Trust, you can contact Liadh on 087 923 9221 or at liadh.fitzgerald@dogstrust.ie.  You can also contact the Education Team at education@dogstrust.ie to see if workshops are available in your area.

Farewell Aoife and Brave!



The Education Team would like to bid a fond farewell to South West Education Officer, Aoife, and her wonderful Education Dog, Brave.  Aoife and Brave have made a great team, visiting schools and community groups in the South West since September 2013 to educate the dog owners of tomorrow about Responsible Dog Ownership.

Aoife and Brave met so many wonderful children and teachers on their travels through Cork, Kerry and Limerick, and Brave in particular enjoyed the attention and positive response he received in the classroom.  Brave has also been a great ambassador for Greyhounds, helping to show so many people what we at Dogs Trust already know - Greyhounds and Lurchers make great pets.  They are the 80km per hour couch potatoes!  In fact, Aoife has already been in touch to say Brave has taken to his retirement very well and is enjoying lounging around the house and in the sun.

Deirdre and Fiona would like to wish Aoife and Brave the very best for the future, along with the rest of the Dogs Trust Team. 

 



 Aoife and Brave, Muskerry News, April 2014

 

But don't despair, South West Munster!  The Education Team is pleased to announce that Education Officer Liadh has returned from leave and will be coming to a school near you soon!  There will be more on her return next week but in the meantime don't forget you can contact the Education Team on 01 879 1827 or at education@dogstrust.ie .



Thanks to all our waggy walkers!



Last Sunday, May 25th 2014, Dogs Trust held our first national Pooch in the Park Dog Walk in Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork.  The day was a great success with walkers and their dogs of all shapes and sizes coming out to support Dogs Trust and our brand new Puppy Wing!

 



 

 

 

The walkers all waited patiently for the 12pm kick-off - dodging the rain in Kilkenny! - with eager dogs getting to know their fellow waggy walkers.  Some of our past Dogs Trust residents, including Angel the Neapolitan Mastiff, came out to support the walk and raise funds to help up to 70 puppies and their mums have a space to call their own in Dogs Trust. 

 

 

Local businesses in Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork also donated some fantastic prizes for our raffles, meaning some lucky families went home with goodies ranging from hampers full of products for pampered pooches to skincare products for happy humans!  And the Dogs Trust and Maxi Zoo volunteers were on-hand giving out information packs and dog treats.  There were even face painters for any children who fancied a doggy 'makeover'!

 

 

 

 

 

By 1pm most doggies and their owners had crossed the finish line, tired but happy from their adventures.  Dogs Trust would like to thank everybody who turned out on the day; your support is greatly appreciated.  Best of all, your efforts have raised over €2,000 for our Puppy Wing, which is opening later this Summer.  We hope to see you all again next year! X

 















Pooch in the Park Dog Walk

 

The Education Team has been working away behind the scenes on a very exciting project - our very first national sponsored Dog Walk!  Dogs Trust is already home to up to 170 dogs and puppies at any one time, but there are still so many more dogs who need our help.  The walk is to raise money for our brand new puppy wing extension, which will house up to 7 mammies and 70 puppies at any one time.  The puppy wing will create 7 new jobs at Dogs Trust, including specialist puppy Canine Carers and Veterinary staff. 
 
Our Pooch in the Park event will consist of three dog walks kicking off at the same time, in the areas where the Education Officers are already active.  Entry is €5 per person - and doggies go free!  Registration is from 11am with the walks kicking off at 12pm.  Dogs must be kept on-lead at all times and don't forget to scoop-the-poop to ensure we leave nothing but footprints behind.
 
Some come join us for our first ever Pooch in the Park Dog Walk in the following regions:
 

• Dublin and Eastern Area:  Corkagh Park, Co. Dublin
• South East Area:  Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny city
• South West Munster Area: Curraheen, Cork city

 
You can book tickets for the event by clicking on the link below, or limited tickets will be available on the day:

http://www.eventbrite.ie/o/dogs-trust-6394396629