Teachers are being invited to help shape a ‘Compassionate Curriculum’ schools programme, which allows young people to explore and better understand the symbiotic relationship between understanding dog behaviour and their own mental wellbeing, whilst encouraging the development of empathy, compassion, kindness and understanding.
The proposed programme will tie into the compassion, mental health and kindness elements of the curriculum by demonstrating the resilience, trust, forgiveness and loyalty of rescue dogs.
It’s the brainchild of dog charity, Wild at Heart Foundation, with the guidance of educators, the charity aims to curate a professionally-approved programme.
“We’re the experts in dogs so we’re looking for around 20 educators who can complement our knowledge by advising how best to deliver the programme, based on what students need, as well as assessing our created content.” Says Nikki Tibbles, Founder of Wild at Heart Foundation.
Wild at Heart Foundation already runs education programmes with children around the world to help break the cycle of animal cruelty, “We believe that education is key to ending the global stray dog problem. Not only will the Compassionate Curriculum programme encourage empathy and understanding for all areas of life, we hope it will also help prevent animal cruelty”, adds Tibbles.
Getting the programme off the ground is Rachel Hudson, an experienced education programme specialist. “Essentially what we’re looking for is a ‘Compassionate Committee’ consisting of individuals within the education sector, who can meet virtually to provide feedback on the programme, and who may be open to piloting the programme within their school before the summer holidays.” Says Hudson, who is leading the programme.
Those who sign up will get priority access to the Compassionate Curriculum programme, 1-2-1 support in delivering the programme, access to webinars discussing social action, mental wellbeing and building students’ skills, participation in the public launch, invitations to key events for the school and students, as well as the opportunity to become an ‘ambassador school’.
Wild at Heart Foundation has received funding for this programme from its longstanding partnership with dog lover Manolo Blahnik and the Manolo Blahnik brand.
“We’re so honoured to be supported by the Manolo Blahnik team, and know that together we can bring about truly lasting and life-changing transformations for children and dogs”, says Tibbles.
Educators are being invited to sign up to the programme by 3 May 2021. To find out more and to sign up, visit https://wildatheartfoundation.org/education/
