MADRA Dog Rescue has announced the return of its Talking Dog Workshops to primary schools across Galway City and County this autumn.
Delivered in partnership with Galway City and County Councils, the fun, interactive sessions are aimed at 3rd and 4th class pupils and are designed to teach children how to build safe, positive relationships with dogs – helping to create a new generation of compassionate and responsible pet owners.
Each workshop focuses on two key themes. The first is about Learning How to Communicate with Dogs where children will discover how to safely interact with dogs, including how to approach a dog, what to do if a dog approaches them, and how to recognise signs that a dog may be uncomfortable or needs space. Understanding dog body language and behaviour can help prevent bites and foster safer communities for both people and pets.
The second theme is around Responsible Dog Ownership and pupils will explore what it means to be a responsible dog owner – from microchipping and using leads, to cleaning up after their pets. A highlight of the workshop is the ever-popular poop pick-up game, which makes learning about responsibility both fun and memorable!
The Talking Dog Workshops are designed to be engaging, educational, and inclusive, appealing to children who have dogs at home, those who don’t, and even those who may be nervous around dogs. Each one-hour session is delivered by two members of the MADRA team, including a trained dog handler. At the end of the workshop, students get to meet a dog and safely put their new skills into practice. Every participant receives a take-home information sheet to share their learning with family members.
The workshops have proven to be a big hit with schools, with teachers praising their blend of fun and learning, and children showing great kindness, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
Each school can host up to two sessions, with approximately 20 students per workshop. Schools interested in booking a Talking Dog Workshop can email [email protected] to secure their place.
