STATE COLLEGE — Centre County Paws offers a variety of programs for children to learn about responsible pet ownership and engage with the animals in their shelter. Some very active volunteers make these programs possible.
One of the programs — the PAWSome Kids Club — is for children 6 to 12 years of age and they join fellow animal lovers on Saturdays in the fall to learn more about responsible pet ownership and how to interact with animals while having a great time with some new friends. This program is underway now.
On Oct. 26, the group of boys and girls met in the basement at PAWS, located at 1401 Trout Road, State College, and received instructions and bags to hold their clickers for clicker training. After walking to the small animal yard, the kids took turns helping a dog, CC, to weave in and out of some poles that were set up. CC responded well to the children and especially the treats they kept in their bags.
The Kids Club meets one weekend a month for twohour sessions with dogs and cats.
The kids learn the right way to approach a dog and how to give a treat with a flat hand. After spending some time outside practicing walking a dog on a leash, the class returned inside to learn about spay and neutering. Snack time followed.
“In May we plan to have a craft sale and the kids will sell the things they have made, except for a couple they can take home,” said Ellenberger. “They can donate the money back to PAWS and it will be a way to teach about giving back to the community.”
Pat Ellenberger, a PAWS volunteer for seven years, was the creator and planner for this program. She said she loves working with the children and thought it would be a good idea to provide kids with a chance to work with and learn about pets all year.
Some of the kids in the Kids Club were also in the PAWS summer program and were eager to sign up again. Her assistant, Elaine Cassin, another volunteer with 12 years on the books with PAWS, said Ellenberger had planned the program and they were pleased that Lisa Bahr, director of operations, approved it.
PAWS is always looking for more volunteers, explained Cassin as she accompanied the kids as they worked with the dogs.
The volunteers help at dog and cat intake, assemble adoption packets for new owners, work birthday parties that are held at PAWS and much more.
Christine Faust, director of development and marketing, said the women are happy in their work at PAWs, as are the others who show up to walk dogs, hold cats and more. Ellenberger has taken in seven dogs and nursed them back to healthier, happier lives — including a blind and a deaf dog.
Other programs at PAWS for kids include the PAWS Reading Program, which gives elementary age children an opportunity to come to PAWS and read to cats. This helps to socialize the cats as well as giving kids an environment that is non-threatening where they can increase their reading skills. PAWS will also help plan a birthday party for any child six years and over.
