In a former life I trained as a primary school teacher and have infinite respect for them as a result! Dogs Trust's Natalie Dexter has gone from being a teacher to helping teachers and pupils learn about responsible dog ownership and safe handling of our four-footed companions.

Based at the Harefield (West London) Rehoming Centre, Natalie negotiates her way around London in her trademark yellow 'dogmobile', running workshops which encourage young people to explore the problems caused by irresponsible dog ownership. Her curriculum-friendly canine pal, Belle, is usually with her too, and school visits can also be made to the 'Education Barn' at the centre to find out how a shelter of this sort is run.

These visits are perhaps the most satisfying part of the job for Natalie. She comments:

“Teaching children here at the rehoming centre really brings what we’re teaching to life, and shows kids the reality of the problems that keep occurring within our society. The children love meeting the dogs, and the dogs love meeting them.”

And as you would expect working with animals and children, Natalie has her fair share of funny stories to tell. 

“I taught the children to always let a dog sniff your hand before you stroke it, so a little boy put his hand out towards my dog, Belle. I said to Belle ‘Go on, sniff his hand’ but the little boy thought I was talking to him and bent down to sniff her paw.”

Although the workshops are always fun for grown-ups, children and dogs alike, the intention behind them is serious. They are run in areas of the country where stray dogs are a real problem. It is hoped that by educating children now, they will grow up with a responsible attitude to dog ownership. And in the areas of the country where Dogs Trust does not run an Educational Outreach programme, children and teachers can still access information on the dedicated website www.learnwithdogs.com, which contains everything from interactive games to lesson plans!