This past September, APNM received a call from the school counselor at Valle Vista Elementary in Albuquerque. The school, in the South Valley area near the Rio Grande, sees many native frogs and toads passing through its campus. The counselor reported concerns from the 4th grade teachers on incidents of abuse of toads by some of the schoolchildren.
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Sophie, a victim of abuse, now serves as a therapy dog.
“Toads have very busy and involved lives,” said Carter in his presentation to the students. “It’s best to leave them alone.” Pictured: the New Mexico spadefoot toad, the state amphibian.
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Seeing a unique opportunity for the
humane education program, Sherry Mangold, Educational Outreach Director, and Phil Carter, APNM’s Wildlife Specialist, devised lesson plans to motivate the students to appreciate and understand the importance of all animals, especially toads, within the life cycle. The lesson also encouraged the students to understand that animal cruelty can easily be the stepping stone to other forms of assaultive behavior. Assisting Phil and Sherry was Sophie, Sherry’s Italian Greyhound therapy dog, who served as an illustration of the
link between animal abuse and domestic violence.
For his part, Phil was excited to work on outreach specifically for amphibians, unprecedented in APNM’s history, and to impart the importance of frogs, toads, and salamanders during an ongoing global extinction crisis of the creatures. The teachers report their students learned a great deal about the life of toads and also came to appreciate the inter-connection amongst all living things. The students were also eager to take on the role of “Animal Detectives” and become the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Animal Protection of New Mexico welcomes the opportunity to work with New Mexico teachers on any specific animal concerns. To do so, please contact Sherry Mangold at 505-265-2322 x30 or by
email.
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