EDUCATION

The only way we can truly make a long lasting difference is through education. Our goal is to change the mindset of the children by teaching them to love, respect and care for their pets. Learning these lessons also fosters the same values toward other people, their classmates, neighbors and family members.

Our age-appropriate education programs have been taught to kindergarten and primary school children for over two years. We have made a formal education proposal to the Ministry of Education (SEP) so that we can transmit to this age group the values of compassion, respect, empathy and responsibility towards animals. We believe in Gandhi’s principle:  “A true human being is measured by the way he treats animals.”

With the help of an entertaining puppet show, bits of information, and lots of enthusiasm, we developed three basic modules following WSPA’s guidelines (World Society of Protection of Animals), so that children learn the importance of a pet’s well-being, its care, its needs, the value of spay and neuter, how to identify and respond to aggressive dogs, and how to protect themselves and their pets against the serious health risks associated with fleas, ticks and parasites.

For most kids, this is their first opportunity to learn about their pets, and they are always full of questions. The Ministry of Education has been very receptive to our proposal and we are now starting with our modules in a school for small children. As we continue to receive feedback and learn, it is our hope that the program will evolve and spread through the schools of La Paz and surrounding areas.

The true measure of our success will be a more healthy society where children, adolescents and adults share a higher consciousness of the needs of animals who have no voice.