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National Geographic : 2015 Aug
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where are the Western Ghats Western Ghats, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685561, India Launched in 2010, the pre-K to grade 12 social and emotional learning curriculum builds on children’s afnity for animals while highlighting the unique characteristics of “Mutt-i-grees®,” a term NSALA coined for rescue dogs. In a series of lessons about shelter pets, children develop critical skills related to self-awareness, empathy, cooperation, and decision-making. Today, the program is in 3,000 schools across the country and reaches 2 million students. At Stephen Gaynor School, an inde- pendent New York City special education pioneer for children with learning diferences, the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum goes hand in paw with their YAP (Youth Animal Protectors) Club, founded by counselor and humane educator Dr. Kimberly Spanjol. “Tis unique, comprehensive cur- riculum engages kids who might not other- wise be motivated,” she said. “Te Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum also teaches critical thinking skills as students try to solve the prob- lems faced by shelter pets,” said Dr. Spanjol. And the kids in the YAP Club have been “empowered to help further the mission” by organizing local fundraisers and community adoption events. Change can come at home, too. “One student’s parents were in the market for a dog.” His Mutt-i-grees® training kicked in. “He educated his family about what he learned from the curriculum and made such a strong case that his parents agreed to adopt a shelter dog!” Joanne Yohannan, Senior Vice President of Operations, NSALA, said “One of the keys to driving adoption is showing the world the diference shelter pets can make in their lives. Purina ONE gets this, and has been a long- standing supportive partner of our major programs—and nearly 18,000 animals have gone home with Purina ONE food to help support whole body health.” NSALA hopes that number will continue to rise—because of kids being transformed by the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum. “ We were hearing reports of kids feeling stress, resulting in class- room behavioral problems,” said John Stevenson, President of North Shore Animal League America (NSALA). “And it’s been clinically proven that dogs make people feel good.” Tis simple premise—that pets improve the lives of humans—led him and the NSALA team to develop the Mutt-i -grees® Curriculum in collabora- tion with Yale University’s School of the 21st Century, where his wife, Dr. Matia Finn-Stevenson, is a child development expert. How Shelter Pets Are Transforming Education PETS CHANGE LIVES Purina ONE supports a network of shelter partners by providing complete, balanced nutrition to help promote rescue pets’ whole body health for today and tomorrow — as well as helping to spread the word. To learn more, visit purinaone.com. Created with Purina ONE by #ONEdifference
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