But Zoomie is more interested in lying on the cool cement where some water has dripped from a gutter. Zoomie, a Springer Spaniel puppy, is part of playtime during the Creature Connection workshop, a summer education program held by the shelter to teach children the responsibilities of pet ownership. They spend another hour with shelter animals, grooming them, teaching them basic obedience and having fun. The workshop has been offered for several years and was once affiliated with Salt Lake Community College's summer youth programs. This year the shelter is the sole sponsor.
Classes are limited to eight children per session.
The interaction with animals is stimulating on so many different levels. A lot of the children get into the lessons, some get angry and emotionally involved, and they get to meet and play with cute puppies. It seems to be working. While playing with four adorable puppies, the children express what they love about the program and talk with Rowland and Dezi Hemingway, another education specialist in charge of the workshop, about what they have learned. I did the same thing until I found out how to treat a cat.