All for puppy love

The Blue Cross Hyderabad programme to acquaint children with animals that need care has been increasingly gaining popularity. Though many are yet to know of this, the initiative has already involved several active student volunteers from the ages 10 to 15. The students also receive a certificate for their service that will help them score credits in school.

To impart a sense of service and to instil all round development in children, schools like Oakridge International School, Agah Khan Academy, ChaitanyaVidyalaya have included twenty hours of service in to their curriculum. A Blue Cross volunteer should spend atleast three hours of time per week rescuing or providing shelter to animals. Depending on the age-group of children, volunteers are to impart their duties as shelter volunteers, animal rescuers or colony animal care takers.

“We have many children coming here to serve and take care of animals.Depending on their ages and interests, we assign them different activities”, says Pravalika, student volunteer coordinator with Blue Cross, Hyderabad. “While some leave after they complete twenty hours of service, a few passionate ones who believe in the cause stay back to serve as long as they can ”, she adds.

Blue cross Hyderabad not only offers service programs for animals but also encourages children to visit orphanages and old age homes. Parents too have begun to recognise the value of such initiatives and consider them a great opportunity for their children to experience the love of untamedanimals. Moreover, children who fancy pets but are unable to fulfil their desire due to their busy schedule can spend time with animals and learn more about them. “Such programs not only help a child’s mental growth but also inculcate in them a sense of responsibility, which is very crucial”, says Madhuri, parent of a volunteer.

Psychologists opine that interaction with animals not only helps children improve their concentration and workon their behavioural growth but it will also help them get out of their virtual world that has an overpowering influence on them. “I was always interested in helping animals and so I joined as a volunteer. I get to groom, feed, bathe and walk the animals in the shelter and these activities make me feel really good”, saysAnoushkaLamba, a student of Chaitanya Vidyalaya. She has also adopted five dogs, four cats and runs a small kennel at home. Anoushka takes care of several stray animals and regularly puts puppies up for adoption.

Jassika, also from the same school, is an active participant of the programme. “I love the time I get to spend with the animals in the shelter. It is the best time of the week. I get to play with puppies, cuddle them and I just love them”, says Jashika Oberoi. While both girls say that it is their love for the animals that has brought them close to this initiative, they also lament that most owners are only interested in adopting a good-looking dog or a foreign breed.

“No one is interested in Indian breed dogs. They are also equally cute and loyal. Dogs just need little love and food and many of us can afford that. If it is not possible to adopt them, people at least volunteer to take care of them”, says Jashika.Nita Paropakari, an engineering student, who joined as a volunteer and eventually became a permanent member of the Blue Cross Society firmly believes that all schools should include such initiatives in their curricula to help create awareness in children and help them develop a positive attitude towards animals and environment.

By:VaishnaviGirish