After more than a year of careful planning, the Da Gama Park Dog Club, an initiative aimed at promoting safe and positive interactions and relationships between dogs and residents in Da Gama Park, was launched on Saturday, 15 April.
Children got an opportunity to interact with Zara, a service dog, while a South African Navy dog handler demonstrated safe and healthy dog interactions.
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LS Van Wyk and AB De Klerk, Navy K9 dog handlers, led the first session of the Da Gama Dog Park Club.
The idea of a working dog initially alarmed some children, especially those who are afraid of dogs, but their concerns quickly subsided. Participants were taught and shown that a well-trained, well-loved and well-cared-for dog is gentle and responsive and will not attack without reason.
Those in attendance also learned how to hold snacks without getting nipped, and as their confidence grew, they took turns commanding Zara to sit and lie down.
According to News24, Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation (CPCC) chair, Lynda Silk said many dogs in Da Gama Park were not contained, resulting in regular encounters between residents and children.
‘Anybody living in Da Gama, whether they have a dog of their own or not, will regularly encounter dogs. Da Gama Dog Club was created for people to bring out the best in their dogs and to have healthy relationships with healthy animals where dogs can be an asset within the community,’ she told News24.
On Saturday, 22 April, residents brought their dogs to interact with dogs and handlers from The Emma Animal Rescue Society (TEARS).
Silk told News24 that some residents brought dogs and that the importance of sterilisation was demonstrated when an unsterilised dog drew a large number of dogs.
Meanwhile, Nondlala explained that sterilising dogs reduces tension, claiming that both male and female sterile dogs live longer lives because unsterilised male dogs are more likely to fight and wander, and pregnancy takes a huge toll on the female dog’s body, as she frequently carries up to ten puppies during a single pregnancy.
While there are key areas of focus, the programme also includes different aspects, such as those who are afraid of dogs and need to be educated on how to behave around dogs.
The Da Gama Park Dog Club gratefully accepts donations for this worthwhile project.
Please WhatsApp if you want to donate goods or money; no amount is too small. The club needs food for hungry humans and dogs, as well as funds for facilitation, and it would like to get hats because those facilitating and participating in the sessions will be out in the midday sun for two hours every Saturday for the next 12 weeks.
Details:
- Contact: 084 875 4585 | [email protected]
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