Members of Down’s Syndrome Association learn necessary skills at dog shelter
The visit forms part of the association’s “school to work” programme where they aim to equip members with the necessary skills to cope in the real world and find a job.
Members of the Down’s Syndrome Association South Africa visited the Pretoria Dog Rescue (NPC) this week to learn some of the necessary skills to cope in the real world and find a job.
The visit, on Thursday morning, forms part of the association’s “school to work” programme.
“This programme is essential to the development of people with Down’s Syndrome,” said Diana Madzima, a facilitator from the association.
“We are equipping them with social and life skills by exposing them to places like this.
“When we come here we encourage active participation where we teach them how to clean the cages, fold blankets and walk and play with the dogs,” Madzima said.
“It’s also a way for us to identify which members are suited for this kind of work and which are not, and then we can move on from there.
“If we see they do well in an environment like this, then we can focus on those skills and magnify them to a point where they can put them to effective use,” said Madzima.
Pretoria Dog Rescue director, Celia van Zyl said the visit was a great way to reach out to the community.
“Reaching out to the community is always a great feeling, especially when it’s done constructively like we did today.
“Many people, unfortunately, see people with Down’s Syndrome as useless people who can’t contribute to the community but this isn’t true at all,” Van Zyl said.
“If you equip them with the right skills they can make a change in their community and contribute to the society in a meaningful way.
“If people can see how great they are with these dogs then that perception will quickly change,” she said.
Members ran and played with the dogs in the shelter’s large open areas.
Pretoria Dog Rescue is a no-kill, NPC animal shelter. They rescue neglected and abused dogs and rehabilitate them and put them up for adoption.
Director Reinette le Roux explained that the shelter does extensive background checks on people before allowing them to adopt dogs from them.
They also provide educational programmes about the dog’s breed and how to best take care of them.
“After the dogs leave us, we want to make extra sure that they are going to a home where they will be taken care of by caring people who love dogs.
“Our dogs are like family to us and we want to see other people love and appreciate them as much as we do,” she said.
All volunteers at the shelter cover their own expenses.
The NPC is especially proud of volunteer Iva Cinkova who has two doctoral degrees in animal behaviour.
“She has made such a difference in this place since she joined us,” said Van Zyl.
“Her skills are incredible and we are extremely lucky to have her with us.”
The shelter relies on public donations to keep its operations up and running and anyone willing to donate can contact them on 083 767 6345.
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