Lessons from animals

Dogs are cute and furry, and rushing up to them is a natural response for kids and adults. However, this kind of behavior can bring unfortunate results.

Dogs are cute and furry, and rushing up to them is a natural response for kids and adults. However, this kind of behavior can bring unfortunate results.

“So many dog bites can be avoided,” said Dr. Sally Hodson. “Many people just don’t know the right way to interact.”

Hodson, a K-12 educator and former executive director of The Whale Museum, has developed educational materials for kids to learn about dogs and cats.

She recently joined the board of the Orcas Animal Shelter, and she has designed a program called “Pet Pals” for grades kindergarten through sixth.

The goal of the curriculum is to teach children about “kindness, responsibility and respect for animals, themselves and other people.”

Hodson teaches the classes free of charge to local schools. Students can also come to the shelter for a session. Her first installment is titled “Stay Safe With Pets.” It teaches children how to tell if a dog or cat is friendly and the proper ways to interact with animals.

Upcoming offerings are “All About Cats and Dogs,” “Caring for Pets,” and “Understanding Pet Talk.”

For more information, call 376-6777 or email info@orcaspets.org.

Hodson talked to the public school third grade class on March 5 at the shelter. She explained how to read dogs’ and cats’ body language and the correct way to say hello. Animals don’t look each other in the eye when first meeting. Instead, they sniff butts and use their noses. So it’s important not to stare at a dog.

If you see a dog or cat you would like to pet, first ask the owner: “Is your animal friendly?” If the answer is yes, next ask if you can pet the dog or cat. Make a fist and let the animal come to you. Don’t touch the animal on the face. Unless you know the dog really well, don’t hug or kiss it. And if you want to give a dog a treat, lay it on the flat of your palm. Hodson said if you see a loose dog, leave it alone and walk away; do not run. If it comes closer and you feel threatened, stay calm and “stand like a tree.”

“Pull your ‘branches’ in and look down at your ‘roots,’” Hodson said. “Count in your head until the dog leaves.”

She also advised the children what to do if a dog knocks them over: become a turtle. The kids practiced quietly tucking into their knees and placing their arms above their heads.