The association “Per Aspera ad Astra” and Upa – United for the Environment, in collaboration with the “Dog School Anzio” by Pier Paolo Perisottohave concluded the meetings of the Un Compagno a 4 Zampe project for the 2023 – 2024 school year.
The project saw the participation of 15 classes from the primary schools of Anzio and Nettuno, involving around 400 pupils.
The dog’s particular ability to give affection and devotion constitutes a valid emotional support, especially for children. The project was born from the need to bring knowledge of our four-legged friend to schools to offer children, from childhood, the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to establish a harmonious, respectful and responsible relationship towards the dog.
The project is part of what can be defined as “humanitarian and environmental education” which helps the development of a civil conscience and a sense of compassion towards all living creatures.
During the educational journey, the children learned to relate correctly to the dog, to take care of him and to understand the importance of respecting the rules of social coexistence. Furthermore, the young students learned to interpret canine language, that is, the language of a creature belonging to a species different from ours, in order to be able to communicate correctly with the dog, a friend who has accompanied man for millennia.
Thanks to the dedication of the volunteers, the enthusiasm of the teachers and the families, the Un Compagno a 4 Zampe project has had surprising results: many children, especially the shyest ones or those with integration difficulties, have shown notable progress in participating in class, expression of emotions and in creating bonds with peers. Many of them have opened up, overcoming the initial fear of approaching the beautiful Labrador dogs Happy, Ginevra, Olga and the Kiwi mascot of the “Dog School Anzio”.
The interaction with the dog in the school context has truly developed the establishment of a particular setting which becomes a space of welcome, reassurance, encouragement, emotions and thoughts evoked by contact with the dog, in which stimuli are presented with relaxed times, leaving room for the human-animal relationship. These moments encourage the integration of students: they share a particular educational path that creates a personal and group memory.
For our territory this project is undoubtedly new; what has been done so far in primary schools is a first contact with the initiative of “Per Aspera ad Astra”, UPA and “Dog School Anzio” which have already planned to involve more and more classes and different age groups.
