MORE than 19,000 school children set to benefit from free dog welfare workshops in Worcestershire thanks to Dogs Trust.

With children back at school this week after the summer holidays, Dogs Trust, which has a site in Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, is promoting its education programme; and is encouraging schools to take advantage of beneficial dog safety and responsible dog ownership lessons for their students.

Their free dog welfare workshops, delivered as part of the Charity’s ‘Be Dog Smart’ campaign, enhance the National Curriculum and seek to provide children between the ages of 7-11 with the knowledge and understanding they need to act responsibly and safely around dogs in their homes and those they may see out and about.

Each workshop benefits pupils by involving a pretend dog as its focus, with the aim of developing compassion and consideration for all living beings. Not only do children learn how to behave safely around dogs, they also learn all about the commitment involved in owning a dog through a creative and interactive learning experience. Last year, Kerry Chambler Dogs Trust’s Education and Community Officer in Worcestershire delivered workshops to 19,099 children, and is on track to improve on this number this year. With the growing success of the ‘Be Dog Smart’ campaign, Dogs Trust now employs 27 education and community officers across the UK to provide workshops in their designated regions. 

To book a ‘Be Dog Smart’ workshop, please contact Kerry Chambler on  Kerry.Chambler@dogstrust.org.uk.