PAWS Chicago creates Pet Program for Girl Scouts of America
Adoption events may tug at the public’s heartstrings and fundraising benefits capture media attention, but the PAWS Chicago community outreach effort is a force of change in many of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Community outreach staff and volunteers make presentations in schools, park districts, neighborhood clubs, police beat meetings, and other assemblies.
Recently, PAWS Chicago launched a joint program with the Girl Scouts of America and their “Girl Space” program for inner city girls, many of whom live in the zip codes that are the focus of PAWS’ outreach efforts.
Initially, the collaboration will involve 1,300 girls who belong to 24 troops in Chicago Public Schools. They include Brownies (grades 1, 2, and 3) and Juniors (grades 3, 4, and 5). The girls can earn a PAWS Chicago Pet Badge after completing educational units and projects based on lesson plans that include PAWS’ core curriculum.
The PAWS lesson plans revolve around the themes of proper pet care, pet overpopulation and the importance of spaying/ neutering, safety around animals and ways to avoid bites, and prevention of animal abuse, with particular lessons and related activities geared to the specific age group.
“We enjoy collaborating with PAWS Chicago,” said Girl Scouts of America representative Gloria Shaffer. “This will be very helpful for the girls and the leaders. The girls are learning together while participating in fun activities.”
A PAWS program for Cadettes and Seniors (grades 6 through 12) is currently under consideration. Curriculum for the older girls would include such additional topics as animal sheltering, dog fighting, volunteer opportunities, and careers with animals.
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