Hundreds of pupils at Leconfield Primary School have been learning all about how to Be Dog Smart thanks to the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
Education and Community Officer, Laura-Jane Muscroft, accompanied by her four-legged friend Education Dog Winnie, went to the Arram Road school to help children understand how they can enjoy the company of dogs while staying safe.
A survey carried out by Dogs Trust earlier this year revealed that a quarter of children in the Yorkshire and Humber area were afraid of dogs and a third of parents said they were not sure or had no idea what signs to look out for when a dog may be feeling uneasy and could be pushed to become aggressive.
Laura-Jane, who ran workshops with every class, said: “It’s really important to educate young people about how to behave around dogs, not only because many have dogs in the family but also because they are the dog owners of the future.
“We help the pupils understand that a dog is a living creature that thinks, feels and gets frightened just like us.”
Headteacher Katie Tracey said: “Laura-Jane spent two days with us and it was a fantastic opportunity for the children to learn how they can thoroughly enjoy the companionship of dogs while also staying safe.
“It was lovely having Winnie here too, a real treat for us all.”
If you would like to give a homeless hound a home, you can check out the website at www.dogstrust.org.uk