Durban — In a township simply outdoors Hillcrest, a gaggle of youngsters are decided to learn to care for his or her pet dogs, due to Inja Yethu, an organisation that’s serving to them to just do that.
Here youngsters should not solely taught methods to management dogs’ behaviour with compassion but additionally to build a deep and significant relationship with their canine companion.
It is for that reason that the founding father of the organisation, 60-year-old Hazel Johnson, is that this week’s unsung hero.
For the previous yr, Johnson has been working with youngsters in the neighborhood of Embo and their dogs.
The youngsters have to be taught methods to care for his or her four-legged fur mates, and Johnson and her workforce have been imparting the data and expertise to them.
She meets with the kids and their dogs twice every week, for an hour, throughout the college phrases on the Siyajabula Trust Children’s Home in Mademeni and the Inhlangano Senior Primary School in Embo.
Johnson says coaching the kids and their dogs was not nearly instructing the kids methods to management the dogs’ behaviour however about building a deep and significant relationship between them. Canine lessons hosted by Johnson and her workforce train youngsters that dogs have to be skilled with constructive reinforcement to be taught the specified behaviours.
Grant Smith from The Smart Dog organisation volunteers his companies to coach dogs on the college on Thursdays. Each youngster receives a “marshmallow bracelet” sponsored by Nation Changers, a religious group.
Loose marshmallows need to be made right into a disposable bracelet, which is completed by Caroline Moyle, a volunteer on the organisation. Every youngster is given canine treats and dogs are despatched home with a kilogram tub of treats for use as homework rewards.
Water is offered for the dogs to drink and the youngsters to clean their fingers.
Johnson mentioned their classes additionally taught youngsters respect for all creation, kindness, compassion, accountability and management amongst different life expertise.
Inja Yethu additionally offers potential profession alternatives, canine care promotion, neighborhood and animal healthcare by means of rabies campaigns and animal sterilisation.
It depends on donations to offer pet food, leashes and collars, T-shirts, candies, biscuits, marshmallows, second-hand canine beds, kennels, bowls, shampoo and veterinary remedy.
Johnson mentioned they have been grateful to the Kloof SPCA, Animal Anti-Cruelty, Pulse Veterinary clinic and Snip Veterinary Clinic, and vets.
Among the challenges she mentioned they confronted have been communication and veterinary remedy.
“Basic dog handling skills is our method to teach kindness and non-violence. This sounds like a simple calling, but these animals become more and more important to these children so how do we turn our backs when the pets need treatment?” she mentioned.
Johnson holds a Diploma in Public Relations Management and is motivated to assist others due to her spirituality.
“I am passionate about the creation and everything that lives because they have as much right to be here as you and I do. I am motivated by God who created heaven and earth,” she mentioned.
Sunday Tribune
