Education
Wild at Heart Foundation believe that education – particularly education for children – is the most effective and affirming way to get to the root of the problems stray dogs face all over the world. Our education initiatives create better relationships between humans and animals by:
- helping people to feel more safe and confident around dogs
- teaching appropriate behaviour when handling and interacting with dogs
- dispelling myths around dogs that can be harmful for both humans and animals
- fostering respect for dogs, the role they play in our lives and society, and our responsibility of care
We believe that learning to love dogs is one of the most rewarding experiences any child can benefit from. We’re honoured to have helped thousands of children (and their parents!) feel safer, happier and more emotionally intelligent around dogs.
The role education plays in the welfare of dogs around the world cannot be underestimated. When humans learn to respect these incredible animals and appreciate the many wonderful things they can bring to our lives, they open themselves up to one of the most amazing symbiotic relationships on this planet.
Regardless of our personal beliefs and preferences, we all have a duty of care towards dogs – a truly unique species that have evolved alongside us for thousands of year. They need our compassion and respect just as much as we need their protection, emotional support, and loyalty. We owe it to the dogs of the world, especially those without human families of their own to protect them, to help instil understanding into all communities.
Overseas education projects
Whilst sterilisation remains the most effective, compassionate method of preventing further unwanted stray litters from being born, it cannot help those that are already struggling through life on the streets, where human cruelty is one of the most dangerous hazards stray dogs face.
We’ve seen for ourselves all too many examples of the tragedy caused by human hands: dogs used as ‘target practice’, blinded by gunshot wounds to the face; still more beaten to within an inch of their life, or chained, abandoned, and left to starve; boxes of puppies dumped on the side of the road; litters tied up in plastic bags and binned, buried or drowned… the reality is truly heart-breaking.
However abhorrent this behaviour may be, it is vital that we understand the role that misinformation and a lack of education plays in these scenarios. Passing judgement without making an effort to help change harmful behaviours will do little to solve the problem.
Instead, we aim to provide educational support alongside all our international rescue projects. Our work abroad focuses on providing communities with the tools and resources needed to care for and respect the stray dogs in their local area.
'Compassionate Curriculum' programme
An exciting new development for Wild at Heart Foundation in 2o2o, we’re excited to launch our ‘Compassionate Curriculum’ schools programme.
Thanks to their generous sponsorship of one of our best-loved brand partnerships, we’ll be curating a professionally-approved, educational programme that allows children to explore and better understand the symbiotic relationship that exists between positive mental health and dogs – specifically rescue dogs, who are able to teach resilience, trust, forgiveness and loyalty.
We look forward to playing an active role in UK schools, demonstrating the positive links between dogs and humans and the lessons this can teach surrounding empathy, compassion, kindness and self-care.
We’re excited to share more information with you following the programme’s launch in 2020!