LYNNWOOD — Kids should learn to treat animals well, and animal control officers can teach them how.
As part of the Animal Control Education program, Lynnwood’s two animal control officers teach second-graders how to care for animals and be responsible pet owners, police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.
The program has been going on and off for years at St. Thomas Moore School. The officers plan to go back to the school this spring. The department hopes other schools will get involved too.
There are three classes once a week. During the first session, students get stuffed dogs they have to care for like they would for real puppies.
Animal control officers often have to deal with people of all ages who neglect their pets simply because they don’t know any better, Sessions said. They decided to teach kids early on what it means to care for an animal.
“This teaches them responsibility with pets,” said Bernie Federmeyer, one of the animal control officers. “It also shows the kids we aren’t dog catchers … and we are here to help them and animals.”
The police department works hard to build a positive relationship with people in the community, Sessions said. For example, it opens its doors each year for people to learn about police work as part of the Citizens Academy. The ACE program is another way to do that, she said.
“Not all kids get to see that positive side, and they need to know that the officers are there to help them,” she said.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452; kyefimova@heraldnet.com
To learn more
Any Lynnwood schools interested in the program, can call animal control at 425-670-5660.
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