Animals Asia was set up by Jill Robinson MBE in 1998 to promote compassion and respect for all animals and works to bring about long-term change.
Animals Asia’s mission is to end the farming of bears for bile in Vietnam and China, provide sanctuary for bears, end the suffering of wild animals in captivity, and end consumption of dogs and cats.
Cats and dogs in most parts of Asia are often abandoned and left to subsist on the streets, with many dying due to illness or accidents. Government authorities organise brutal dog-killing campaigns to try to reduce stray dog populations. Stray dogs and cats are also snatched from the streets and pets are stolen and taken to horrific meat markets, where they are sold for human consumption and often suffer a slow, violent death.
Wild at Heart Foundation partners with Animals Asia to support their ‘Professor Paws’ innovative programme that sees registered therapy dogs visit schools to teach children to overcome their fear of dogs, learn safety around dogs, responsible pet care and compassion for all animals. On a broader level, the programme is sculpting attitudes to dogs (and all animals) at a young age and teaching children the importance of kindness and compassion.
The basic programme consists of four structured one-hour lessons over four weeks, with the children graduating as 'Pet Cadets'. The children also practise their English-speaking and literacy skills with a native English speaker in a fun environment. Many of these children have never had the chance to touch a dog before their first Professor Paws class. Often in the first class they are terrified because they have simply had no experience of dogs, or their parents have instilled this fear in them, telling them not to touch dogs because they are dirty and dangerous.
Research has shown that dogs can be instrumental in improving the learning skills of a wide variety of children. Close interaction with dogs is proven to increase self-confidence and pro-social behaviour among students, while encouraging the development of compassion.
To find out more about Animals Asia visit their website.