CLUB 4 Paws promotes a new level of understanding of the four-legged animals in Ukrainian society. With the help of pedagogical experts, we have developed an educational programme that teaches pupils how to interact properly with animals and adopt a responsible attitude towards all living things. In 2016, a pilot project was rolled out in six schools in Lviv. A year later, it was integrated successfully into the curriculum of seventh-graders in all the schools in the city.
The course consists of four practical learning sessions in the classroom and one field trip to the grounds of the Lviv municipal enterprise “Lev”. Students complete interactive exercises using special worksheets, and at “Lev” they can observe the consequences of the irresponsible behaviours of former dog and cat owners. The educational programme not only promotes the concept of humane treatment of animals among children, but also encourages participants to rethink the treatment of four-legged animals among the older generation. Which is why educators who teach under the CLUB 4 Paws programme also take an additional course created with the Lviv Education and Methodologies Centre. The programme includes the study of innovative methods for teaching children, and practical training with a zoopsychologist and veterinarian. Since 2019, we have organized such training for biology teachers all over Ukraine.