Goodbye Dee, Hello Fi!

It's all change in the South East Education Team, as Education Officer Deirdre is off on maternity leave.  Deirdre says, "Myself and Education Dogs Sadhbh, Cónán and Béibhinn would like to thank all the wonderful schools, libraries and community groups we have visited in the South East since 2012.  We've had an amazing time spreading the word about Responsible Dog Ownership and have appreciated the warm welcome we've received everywhere we've been."  Those of you who have been lucky enough to have had a visit from this pawsome foursome will agree that they have done a fantastic job educating young people about being a Responsible Dog Owner, and the Dogs Trust's Education Team would like to say a HUGE thank you to Deirdre and her four legged pals for all their amazing work since 2012. 

Worry not though South East! While Deirdre is on her maternity leave, the Education Team's newest member, Fiona Ryan, will be visiting schools and community groups in her place. Let's find out a bit about her:

Hi Fiona, tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello, my name is Fiona Ryan. I have a degree in Earth Science. I have over five years’ experience in delivering curriculum related-education workshops to an audience of all ages. I’ve always loved dogs, so I’m really excited about joining the Dogs Trust team. 
  

Why did you want to work for Dogs Trust?

Dogs Trust aim of ‘working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life free from threat of unnecessary destruction’ is something I feel very passionate about! I am truly grateful to have the chance to combine my love for dogs and education while spreading a positive message about Responsible Dog Ownership to the schools I will be visiting. 

Do you have a dog of your own?

Yes I have a dog – her name is Meg and she is a black and tan Jack Russell. Meg has yet to undergo the training and assessment all Education Dogs must undertake before being deemed suitable to visit schools with me. I really think Meg will make a great Education Dog; she loves meeting new people, especially children. I know she’ll be very excited to meet all the pupils in schools across the South East very soon. 

You will be replacing Education Officer Deirdre while she is on leave.  What areas will you be visiting?

I’ll be covering counties in the South East, so Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary. 
 

The Education Officers offer a wide range of educational workshops to primary schools.  Which one is your favourite and why?

I love the, ‘Match a Dog workshop’. It’s a great, group-work based workshop where children have the chance to match the right dog with a suitable family while taking on the role of a Dogs Trust employee. I think it really makes children consider the responsibilities of bringing a new dog into their home in a fun and interactive way!

What effect do you think the Dogs Trust Education Programme has on the future dog owners of Ireland?

By educating the future dog owners of Ireland about Responsible Dog Ownership, the Education Programme aims to help bring down the number of abandoned dogs and strays we unfortunately see in Ireland today. 

Do you have any workshops booked yet?

Yes, I do I have bookings in the Carlow libraries this October with our ‘Story Time with Dogs Trust’ workshop. I am also currently taking bookings for schools across the South East during term time. 

 

If you would like to book a FREE workshop in the South East with Fiona, you can contact her on 087 296 5883 or at fiona.ryan@dogstrust.ie.