The value of the Pet PEP program

Carole Kayrooz

Abstract

The Pet PEP program is an educational resource designed for use in the primary schools at lower, middle and upper

levels.

This paper reports the preliminary results of an evaluation of the program which was commissioned by the Australian

Veterinary Association. The study required a triangulated approach involving surveys of all children in selected

schools which took part in the study and interviews of teachers, parents and children.

Preliminary results revealed that the program offers benefits for teachers and children particularly at lower primary

level.

Introduction

The Pets and People Education Program (Pet PEP) has been developed by the Australian Veterinary Association to

enhance children's understanding of animals and to assist schools to incorporate learning about pets and other

animals into curriculum programs. The program was also designed to assist the achievement of outcomes in a

number of national curriculum profiles such as the Curriculum Statements and Profiles for Australian Schools. It

links closely with state and territory curriculum documents.

The kit is divided into three sections: lower primary, middle primary and upper primary. Three themes run through

the kit: preparing for my pet; caring for my pet; and being a responsible pet owner. Although science based, Pet PEP

is fully integrated with other learning areas such as english, studies of society and environment, health and physical

education plus technology, mathematics and the arts.

The beginning of each section of the kit contains an overview of the contents linked to learning areas and selected

appropriate outcomes from the Curriculum Profiles for Australian Schools. Each of the sections contains ten topics

related to the three themes. Each topic varies in length from one or two lessons to a week or more. The topics each

contain a range of activities covering the skills and concepts from a number of learning areas. Excursions are

included throughout each section.

The kit also contains a Teacher Resource section and Teacher Contact section. The Teacher Resource section contains

information concerning general pet care for all common species of pets, keeping a classroom pet and a list of

suggested reference books.

The Teacher Contact section contains details of individuals and groups who may be contacted for further

information, excursions or school visits and details of participating veterinarians, municipal animal control officers,

animal welfare groups, animal conservation groups animal special interest groups, animals working in the

community and wildlife parks.

Pet PEP also encourages contact with various groups in the community such as senior citizens, the Guide Dog

Association, dog obedience clubs, Local Government dog control officers and rangers, veterinarians, animal welfare

and conservation groups.

In the latter half of 1995 the Australian Veterinary Association engaged the Centre for Research in Science,

Technology and Environmental Education (CRISTEE) in a summative evaluation of the Pet PEP program as an

educational resource.

In February 1996 the Centre for Professional and Vocational Education (PAVE) was invited to conduct the

evaluation under the guidance of a designated steering committee comprising CRISTEE members and members of

the Australian Veterinary Association.

The goal of the Pet PEP program evaluation was to determine the educational value of the program.

The educational evaluation was thought to consist of two main aspects:

the learning outcomes for children participating in the program; and

teachers' implementation and valuing of the program.

About the author

Carole Kayrooz

Centre for Research in Science, Technology and Environmental Education (CRISTEE)

Faculty of Education

University of Canberra

Carole Kayrooz is an academic, psychologist and organisational consultant. She is currently convener of the

Academic Leadership Program at Australian National University assisting Heads of Department and Heads of the

Research Schools in their leadership skills. She is also Associate Director of the Centre for Professional and

Vocational Education at the University of Canberra where she co-ordinates, conducts and evaluates educational and

training programs.

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