Using Animal Care to Promote Empathy in Children

To raise awareness for our upcoming Veterinary Clinic on Sept 27, we have done two rounds at 6 Dip tanks - the first during normal dipping days and the second during government’s annual rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats.

Research confirms that neutering and spaying dogs and cats greatly reduces the transmission of rabies so this is an ideal link to our Annual Veterinary Clinic.

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I have come to appreciate that “cat people” exist the world over! I am totally impressed with people who bring their cats amongst all the dogs!

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The dog being carried was completely chilled - no twitching, no barking - just was not going to walk to the dip tank for rabies injection unless he was carried!

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We are full out preparing for our Veterinary Clinic. As always the stress point is getting the scheduled drugs through the permit process in time for September 27 - countered by your donations that support this event.

Thank you!

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VUSUMNOTFO - Parenting for a Sustainable Future™

Vusumnotfo Activity 1.1. Parenting - ii) Conduct - a veterinary clinic annually, to promote animal care as a positive demonstration of responsibility and empathy to children

Due to a Foot & Mouth outbreak we only received confirmation for this event last week - so now it is full steam ahead to ensure all preparations are completed in time.

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Step 1 completed - permissions and protocols with the Veterinary Association, the Umphakatsi (Chiefdom council), the government Dip Tank officers and the school where the clinic will take place.

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Step 2 is raising awareness at the surrounding Dip Tanks (6) and Schools (5).  We explain the “What, Why and How” so community members can make an informed decision to register for services or not.

We like to select a location that is about 2 communities over from the previous year. This means that people “have heard about” the event and in some cases can give personal testimony of how much healthier their dog or cat is after surgery.

There is a noticeable shift in the type of questions we are being asked - more detailed questions, more sharing experiences, more about the registration process and less about "do dogs die after surgery". 

This shift reflects your continued support which allows us to do this event annually - thus increasing its impact.

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As a “measureable’ indicator of this impact - last week a police officer stopped me at a road block - only to proudly show me photos of his two dogs and share how he feeds and looks after them before asking me a few questions about dog care!

A growing example of healthy, well cared for dogs - by a very proud “father” - as it should be!

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VUSUMNOTFO - Parenting for a Sustainable Future™ 

Our Mission - To reverse dependency, we strengthen skills at family and community level in practices that improve child development and learning, in 17 Swazi communities. 

Our Motto - Do what you can, with what you have, now

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Early Childhood Programme - tackling insufficient understanding of how young children develop and learning, including factors that influence this. 

Activity 1.1.  Parenting - ii) Conduct - a veterinary clinic annually, to promote animal care as a positive demonstration of responsibility and empathy to children