Last Tuesday, May 23, 13 kindergarten students of the Unilavras School, ages 3 and 4, visited the Francis of Assisi Park, located in the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and affiliated with the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation.
The Francis of Assisi Park welcomes and looks after abandoned dogs in risk situation, and currently has approximately 400 animals in its kennel. Accompanied by the teachers the children at first were fearful at seeing so many dogs, but gradually felt more at ease upon getting acquainted with the facilities and the dogs of the Park and, especially, after dealing with a little puppy.
Besides the contact with the animals, the children also learned about the book “Viver o amor aos cães” (Living the love for the dogs), by Ana Regina Nogueira, which is in its second edition by Irdin Editora. With 224 pages and many illustrations, the book tells the story of the Park, of a group of volunteers who transformed a slaughterhouse into a joyful kennel, a school of love.
At the end of the visit, which lasted for one and a half hour, the children ate popcorn and showed great happiness. “We perceived that the book was a success among the children; they liked the photos very much. They arrived a little tense, but left very joyful. This interaction of the children with the animals has a very great power”, said Lenilce Gomide – one of the founders of the Park and vice-President of the Lavras Society of Animal Protection.
