Stanhope students get lessons in animal care

Stanhope - Kim Kurz’s fifth graders at the Stanhope Public School have been learning a lot since she received a grant for “Taking Care of Your Community by Taking Care of Your Pet,” a service learning project created by the N.J. Veterinary Association. The primary focus of the program is to prepare students to take an active approach toward issues of social concern by understanding pets. Along with researching various topics about pets and animals they might come in contact with, students had speakers come to their class for presentations. A fund raiser was held for Noah’s Ark, a shelter for animals looking for a new home. Valley Road School eighth graders played basketball against the faculty; snacks were sold by the Home and School Association. A check for $429.60 was given to Joey Kressen from Noah’s Ark. She came to the school with Sly, a young pit-bull who is awaiting adoption. The children were excited to meet Sly. The students also had a visit from Detective Michael Luciani and bloodhound Rosco, who make up the K-9 unit for the Hopatcong Police Dept. Rosco has been certified and can be called upon when someone is missing or the police are trying to track a fugitive. When a person Rosco has been tracking is located, Rosco jumps on them to identify them. Rags, a therapy dog arrived with Susie Nesbitt, of St. Huberd’s Animal Welfare Center. Students practiced letting Rags sniff the back of their hands before petting him. The last speaker was William Cirone, an animal control officer from Mt. Olive. He told stories and spoke to students about approaching unknown dogs, what to do with injured animals and wildlife they might encounter, and animal abuse. Students also watched a DVD of Cirone and rescue teams rescuing pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Students wrote detailed thank you letters about what they learned and many included artwork in the letters sent to all the visitors.