February 2, 2023

This year Elliott Hudson College has been excited about launching Animal Care, a new enrichment program tailored towards the students’ interests, helping them to develop their knowledge of animals and their needs – whether they want to know more about animal care, would like to develop this as a career, or for those who just love furry friends.

The aim of the enrichment is to teach students about animal care and also improve all aspects of school performance, self-esteem and general well-being of our students.

Student, Julia Kozlowska said: “I love the animal care enrichment because I got to see where the fundraising money go to and it made me realise there are many animals who need our help!”

“Animal Care enrichment offers a wide range of benefits to improve students’ mental, physical, social and emotional wellbeing,” says Mrs Gatenby, Animal Enrichment Coordinator.

So far, Elliott Hudson College has worked with animal charities and organisations such as Guide Dogs, RSPCA and Hearing Dogs. Students met Paddy from Hearing Dogs, Saffy from RSPCA and Saber the guide dog, and had lots of fun meeting the animals in college and learning more about how they are cared for and trained.

Guide dogs are trained to help blind people navigate their world every day, and in this program, students learn about how it works. Dogs can be trained to walk and stop at traffic lights, cross streets safely, open doors and hold packages for their owners.

Inspired by working with animal care organisations this term, the class decided to begin fundraising for the three charities, RSPCA, Hearing Dogs and Guide Dogs, to help give back and support the organisations further.

“Working with animal charities has had a huge impact on the students and seeing the animals first hand has really made the students want to do more and take apart.” Says Miss Gatenby.

“Students have worked incredibly hard at fundraising for the animal charity partners we have been working closely with. One group organised a ‘thrift shop’ event where we opened our own charity shop filled with student donations where EHC students could buy new clothes very cheaply. This raised a wonderful amount of money for our animal charities and also helped the environment by encouraging second hand shopping.”

Animal Care is just one of the many enrichments available at Elliott Hudson College.