PetWise in Schools

In January 2020, our team of Community and Education Veterinary Nurses embarked on their year-long player supported PetWise in Schools programme, visiting 131 schools and engaging with 26,892 children by March. When lockdown was announced, and schools closed, the programme sadly had to be suspended. 

Knowing how essential it is that children are educated on pet health and wellbeing, we focused on promoting our digital PetWise School Award, which was first launched in 2018 thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The award guides children through curriculum-linked animal welfare lessons which the class teacher delivers. The materials now cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s curriculums. 

As parents suddenly found themselves needing to entertain and home school their children, we saw a huge rise in PetWise School Award material downloads.  Parents told us that the Award gave children a ‘sense of purpose’ during such a difficult, uncertain time.  

The Award is currently being used by three main audiences: home schooling parents, teachers providing their pupils with work digitally, and teachers in schools. We’re extremely proud of how PetWise School Award has evolved, adapted and grown, and hope it continues to bring fun and normality to children’s lives, while teaching them to be responsible pet owners. 

Testimonials

'The award was hard work but it was so nice to read about PDSA. It helped me learn a lot. I liked the certificates at the end of each level too.' - Jack

'Zachary has really enjoyed completing the PDSA PetWise Award. It has a fantastic variety of fun and education activities and games. We have loved learning about the amazing work this charity does! My son has learnt all about how to care for pets properly and what they need to be happy and healthy. We have really enjoyed doing the activities, it's given us something to concentrate on and has been perfect with us getting a new puppy too.' - mum, Abby Whittle

'Lilly has enjoyed the variety of actvities on offer during the PetWise Award. The different levels gave her something to work towards at each stage and the resources were fun, easy to use and easily adaptable to suit her age. She was always enthusiastic to do the activities and has been telling everyone about how much she has enjoyed it. A really worthwhile activity. Thank you so much PDSA.' - mum, Charlotte Nurdin

'Both my children loved the PDSA PetWise award. It was fun for all the family and would definitely recommend to other families. We loved that you can complete as much as you want and do it in your own time. Great for children to learn important information about pets and how much money, love and attention pets need and what responsibility they really are.' - mum, Helen

'This was a fantastic opportunity for our children and they thoroughly enjoyed taking part. The award was engaging and interesting at every point and it linked brilliantly to our ‘animals’ topic. Our pupils are looking forward to sharing their newly-gained knowledge with others. We have always been proud to be an inclusive school and can now extend this by saying we know how to be respectful and understanding of the needs of animals too.' - Chloe Hardman, Teacher at St Chad’s CE Primary and Nursery School.

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