WEST KENNEBUNK - There are many opportunities to learn more about those wonderful furry friends this month and in the weeks ahead with the Animal Welfare Society.
High School Community Service begins Oct. 14 and will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Community service is offered to children under the age of 18 who need hours for high school credit as well as young people who have court ordered community service. Every Tuesday afternoon between 2 and 5 p.m. the students gather to work on projects for AWS, including feeding the animals, walking the dogs, cleaning the grounds and helping with general chores.
Internships are scheduled on a case by case basis for high school and college students who need to participate in an internship for credit. The internship program is designed around the student's individual needs, and involves a written report to their teacher at the end of the semester.
Children's Museum Visit is offered every third Saturday of the month when the AWS Humane Educator holds an hour-long program at the Children's Museum in Portland on different animal subjects. Each month features a different animal from the shelter and the children learn how to gently handle them. They learn what they eat, where they live and how to provide basic care for these animals.
AWS Adult Book Club meets every third Thursday of the month and members read an animal-related book and meet from 5 to 7 p.m. to discuss the book over dinner.
AWS Hero Tours is a program designed to acknowledge children who make remarkable contributions to the AWS. When a child donor visits or contacts the shelter to make a substantial donation, they are given the opportunity to schedule a Hero Tour at the shelter. A Hero Tour includes a full behind-the-scenes tour of the facility as well as a Certificate of Appreciation and the option of having their picture taken, which may be used on the website or in a press release.
Birthday Parties are scheduled when requested and include a shelter tour including interaction with several animals, use of the education room for two hours, admission for birthday child and nine friends, an animal-related game, a craft for the children to take home and a photo of the birthday child with his or her favorite animal.
Classroom Visits are scheduled on an individual basis during the school year when the AWS Humane Educator visits schools to present on topics ranging from pet care to the "Violence Link." At the teacher's request she will bring an animal for the students to meet and gently handle.
For more information on Animal Welfare Society Humane Education Programs, visit www.animalwelfaresociety.org or call Barb Wilkinson at 985-3244, Ext. 109.
