Best Friends Humane Education Department Provides Outreach to Children of the Navajo Nation

Story by Sandy Passmore, Best Friends Staff

In January, 2009, the Humane Education Department at Best Friends joined with the Flagstaff Public Library Bookmobile for a series of monthly visits to Tsinaabaas Habatiin Elementary School in an area known as The Gap on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. Claudia Randazzo, the library’s Outreach Services Coordinator and long time supporter of Best Friends, arranged the program with the school’s Principal Marilyn Reed. During that first visit in January, Humane Educator Jennifer Andrews and Department Manager Sandy Passmore presented an interactive program called “Being Safe Around Dogs” to the K thru 4th grade student body. Colleague Linda Gage, Manager of The Learning Experience at Best Friends and staff photographer Mollie Wald were also on hand to provide their expertise and assistance.

On February 18, Jennifer and Sandy returned to the reservation with special friend, Seppi the Moluccan Cockatoo and his caregivers Michele Page and Al Johnson. To the delight of the children, Seppi put on his best educational performance! With the encouragement of his caregivers, he exhibited many natural behaviors and showing off to the students his great intelligence. This endearing member of the Best Friends family even said a few words to the audience, capturing their young hearts in the process.

Each child was invited to come up and pet Seppi, who loves children and is often used in educational programs here at the sanctuary. Being able to get “up close and personal” with such a large and special bird was a first experience for most and one that will surely be remembered for years to come. Principal Marilyn Reed shared with us that following our visit, the students talked non-stop about the pink bird with the great personality! She has posted photographs from the memorable visit in the school hallway and has shared a vocabulary list of words pertinent to our visit with the teachers.

On the way home from The Gap, the staff stopped at the area’s dump to drop off fresh food and water for feral dogs who frequent the location to scrounge for a meal. We found a young puppy snuggled alone in between a pile of old mattresses near the dumpsters. Puppies are often dropped off here due to the inability of families to be able to feed and care for growing litters – highlighting the need for more spay-neuter programs on the reservation. The young pup came back with us in the van, cradled in the arms of Jennifer Andrews. He was cold, hungry, thirsty and scared, but after about 15 minutes down the highway, she observed that he suddenly let out a big sigh and fell asleep. Of course, it was hard for him to nap with Seppi doing a perfect imitation of a whining puppy!

The Humane Education Department is returning to the school again later in March, this time with another special animal friend from Best Friends. But it’s a surprise for the children so we can’t reveal our mystery guest. And in April, the children have a treat in store as we are setting up a field trip for the students to come to Best Friends for a day!