Education Programs
Why Education?
Karma Rescue characterizes the problem of pet overpopulation as both devastating and systemic.
This problem requires long-term attention and action, providing the catalyst for the development of the Education Program. Karma is committed to a proactive focus whereby it educates adults and youth alike about adoption versus purchase, spay/neuter versus breeding and overall humane animal treatment. Through education, Karma Rescue believes it can create long-term, curative effects on behalf of the companion animal.
Library Program
Karma Rescue is committed to educating youth about the tragedy of companion-animal overpopulation. Specifically, Karma Rescue seeks to teach youth about:
- Animal Rescue
- Adoption vs. acquiring animals from breeders
- Spay/Neuter
- Volunteering
During our library visits, Karma representatives discuss these topics. An animal attends each visit providing the children an opportunity to interact with a current rescue dog. Some children show no fear or apprehension while others are a bit shy and timid. We watch as these children slowly inch closer and gingerly pet the visiting dog.
The Children’s Librarian, whose support for the program is vital, reads a children’s book chosen specifically because it features a dog or other animal. We use this as a lead-in to discuss proper dog care and ask questions of the children regarding their own personal experiences with dogs.
It is our hope that through these programs we will connect animals and kids as well as reach out to and encourage those young people who represent the future of animal rescue.
 KYDS, Inc.
One of our Education partners is Kyds, Inc. “Keep Youth Doing Something (KYDS) has a mission to empower underserved, low-income and at-risk youth to fulfill their individual potential and participate constructively in the community by integrating the efforts of community service providers, government officials and agencies, schools and law enforcement agencies, private businesses and individuals.”
Karma Rescue has visited schools within the Kyds, Inc. network including:
- Breed Elementary School
- Humphreys Elementary School
- John Mack Elementary School
- Polytechnic High School
Our Education Presentations are a perfect fit within their school based programs.
 Village Glen School
Dogs have an incredible and restorative effect on children and one of our most rewarding school visits is to Village Glen School. “Village Glen School is an innovative, multidisciplinary and unique therapeutic day school specifically designed for children with challenges in the areas of socialization, communicative and pragmatic language development and peer relations. Many of the students served at Village Glen experience special needs associated with Asperger’s Disorder, high functioning autism, anxiety-related disorders and non-verbal learning disabilities.”
The effect on the children, the dogs and the Karma presenters is immeasurable.
Asian Pacific Family Center (APFC)
Asian Pacific Family Center (APFC). APFC offers an after school leadership program to high school students in the East San Gabriel Valley area. Karma Rescue partnered up with the students and provided them an opportunity to impact their community through ways that will also benefit animal rescue. The students embraced the message about spay/neuter, adoption, and volunteerism. Karma Rescue brought awareness to the animal welfare issues we face such as dogfighting, puppy mills, and the mistruths about our favorite canines, the pit bull.
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