Pet Ownership - are You Ready?

Pet Ownership - Are You Ready? asks important questions about the responsibility of pet ownership. Dogs on the Navajo Reservation are seen wandering about, starving and sometimes sick. Why is this allowed to happen? Who is responsible? What exactly is a pet? Culturally, how is the dog viewed? Can these problems be overcome? These are some of the questions asked in this animal based curriculum which is part of the RUFF Program, Reservations Unwanted Four-Footed Friends. Students examine different social issues and asked what they could do. Responsibility is discussed as well as health issues and diseases that can be spread from unhealthy dogs and cats. Questions such as; what makes a good pet? What is not a good pet? How important is it to vaccinate a pet? How important is safety for humans and pets? These questions are asked and used as prompts to encourage cooperative thinking. Along with problem solving skills this is a great way to teach social studies and the ability to bring a change in attitude.