Teacher training course on animal welfare returns in October

A free two-semester course on animal welfare for teachers will begin in October at the Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark, a teacher-training college, ORF reported. The course aims to help educators teach children how to interact with animals correctly, safely and with care from an early age.

The Tierschutz macht Schule course covers topics including canine body language, animal-friendly cattle farming, animal testing and the fundamentals of living with pets. It is intended to provide knowledge that may not be sufficiently covered in teachers’ initial training.

Lea Mirwald, managing director of the Tierschutz macht Schule association, said teachers’ knowledge of animals’ basic needs and behaviour varied depending on their education. The course is also intended to help educators address misconceptions about animals with accurate information, she said.

Experts in animal welfare will teach the course both in person at the college and online. Around 35 specialists will cover pets, farm animals, wild animals, laboratory animals, ethics in human animal relationships and animal welfare. The programme also includes teaching methodology sessions.

The course is open to teachers at all school levels. Educators in early childhood, special needs and extracurricular education also take part. Places are still available for this year’s programme.