Animal welfare students
We currently offer a number of different tours for animal welfare students in further and higher vocational education.
A tour of our Godmanchester Rehoming Centre will provide students with a taste of what a career with animals is like, and provide a practical approach to caring for the variety of animals in our care.
As a leader in animal welfare, Wood Green, The Animals Charity is immensely proud of the standard of care and accommodation our animals receive and the knowledge of our staff to provide species specific care and information.
Whilst visiting us students will have the opportunity to meet and learn about the full range of animals we care for including; dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents, chickens, goats and ponies. On request, detailed tours focusing on particular species can be accommodated.
Below is a summary of the tours we currently offer and who they are aimed at:
Introduction to Animal Care
Students on introductory, City and Guilds, BTEC courses and NVQ Animal Care
Learn about how Wood Green, The Animals Charity cares for its large variety of species and promotes second to none care and welfare to all its animals. The behind the scenes tour will cover the Godmanchester Centre including the areas of dog isolation, puppy and kitten blocks to learn about the specialist facilities and care required in these areas. During the tour students will learn about accommodation, enrichment and preventative health targeted in a species specific way, so that the quality of every animal’s stay is maximized.
Animal Health and Welfare
BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management
Gain a greater understanding about how a charity cares for its animals. Students will be exposed to the species specific care given to our dogs, cats, small and field animals, and where requested a detailed presentation on the health and welfare of a particular species can be provided. The behind the scenes tour will encompass the areas of dog isolation and puppy and kitten blocks, in order to focus on the specialist care and facilities required. Students will be introduced to the process of intake and rehoming of our animals including; how we match animals to suitable owners in order to meet their welfare needs. Enrichment of animal accommodation, animal nutrition, veterinary care and health and safety for staff will also be explored.
Animal Nutrition
HNC Animal Studies
Students will learn about the diet tailored towards each species and specialist diets provided to address the requirements of individual animals. A detailed profile on the nutritional needs of a particular species can be provided if requested. During the tour groups will have access to our dog and field animal kitchens to gain further understanding about how dietary needs are met, and the ways in which food is given to provide stimulation to the animals in our care. There will also be the opportunity to tour our kitten and puppy blocks where the process of weaning and hand rearing will be demonstrated and discussed.
Animal Behaviour
BSC Animal Studies
An insight into how the behavior of animals within a rehoming centre is managed and assessed will be given to students. The tour will encompass all areas of the Centre including; dog isolation, puppy and kitten blocks. A presentation from specialist Dog Staff will be given, outlining how our dogs are assessed for temperament and the systems we use to promote the health and safety of staff and dogs. This will also cover handling of specific behavior issues. A focused talk by Cat Staff will discuss the natural behaviors of cats and how these can be promoted in the home, it will also explain why unwanted behaviours, such as scratching and aggression can occur. Other topics covered throughout the guided tour will include breed instincts, how enrichment is used to stimulate natural behaviour and the importance of assessing body language.
Attitudes Towards Animals
MSc Animal Welfare
Students will find out about the history and work of the Charity and how attitudes to animal welfare have changed since our beginning in 1924. The tour will explore and show case studies which demonstrate the reasons animals come into Wood Green. During the tour students will be taken to each animal section including behind the scenes in dog isolation, puppy and kittens blocks, and will focus on the rehoming process for each species including the intake process, continual assessment of animals and how potential owner’s lifestyles are matched to individual animals. Students will also learn about the different ways advice is offered to new owners to support them and encourage responsible attitudes including the promotion of preventive health care for all rehomed animals.
Assessing Animal Welfare
MSc Animal Welfare
Students will be given an opportunity to see how the Animal Welfare Act is adhered to in an animal welfare organisation. The tour will demonstrate how Wood Green goes above and beyond each of the Duty of Care factors in each of its animal sections including a behind the scenes tour of dog isolation, kitten and puppy blocks. There will be a focus on how to provide each species with suitable accommodation, companionship, enrichment and opportunities for natural behaviour. The tour will also demonstrate how secondary legislation of the Animal Welfare Act is upheld by the Charity and promoted to future pet owners, and how Wood Green staff assess the welfare of each individual animal, making adoptions to its environment where required.
Equine based tours
A visit to our Godmanchester Centre’s stable block allows students to witness how equines are cared for in an animal welfare organisation. Wood Green takes in and cares for equines and rehomes suitable animals. It is also responsible for the welfare of four Riding for the disabled horses that are housed at the Centre. Many of the horses and ponies admitted to Wood Green have existing medical issues which need specific care and treatment by the dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Our staff are also experienced with working with horses who are unbroken.
Horse Care and Management
BTEC National Diploma, National Award and National Certificate in Horse Care or management
Students will have an opportunity to visit the stable block at our Godmanchester Centre, and are introduced to the horses currently in our care, their individual cases and requirements. Our equine staff will provide a detailed talk focusing on stable skills, horse behaviour and health. There will be opportunities for students to watch demonstrations of equine grooming and health checks, correct handling of different size equines and safety procedures when working around horses, including those who are not broken. A case study surrounding one of the equines in our care will provide students with an overview of the diet and equipment required for individuals and the daily care involved to maintain optimum health. Students will also learn how horses are rehomed by careful matching of their needs with those of a potential new owner.