The Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society has successfully completed its inaugural Animal Ambassador pilot program in hopes of fostering a culture of animal advocacy among local youth.

The six-week educational initiative, conducted at T.N. Kirnon School, culminated with 30 students participating in hands-on activities at the Humane Society’s donkey sanctuary, where they brushed donkeys, cleaned enclosures and received prizes for naming the facility’s tortoises.

Dr Radcliffe Robins, vice president and veterinary advisor of the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, explained the program’s fundamental philosophy during the graduation ceremony.

“If we are to become caring adults, we have to learn from early; we have to reach out to the children,” he said. “We cannot wait until they are adults to teach them compassion, kindness and the freedoms that animals need – freedom from thirst, from hunger, from disease.”

The comprehensive curriculum introduced students to various aspects of animal welfare and safety each week.

Topics covered included how to live safely with dogs, understanding the role of an animal ambassador, and proper care and attention for animals.

The program concluded with practical experience at the donkey sanctuary, allowing students to apply their newly acquired knowledge.

Executive Director Karen Corbin, who conceived the Animal Ambassador program, facilitated Dr Robins and Dr Payne in continuing the instruction. “I thought it was great,” Corbin told Observer media. “We found the children very engaged, very interested, very heavy with lots of questions.”

The positive reception exceeded organizers’ expectations, with students actively participating and sharing their own pet experiences during sessions.

T.N. Kirnon School’s administration, including teacher Sasha Mills and the principal and vice principal, provided crucial support for integrating the program into the school’s offerings. The collaborative effort represents what Dr Robins described as part of the Humane Society’s responsibility and legacy.

“We at the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, we see this as part of our responsibility, as part of a legacy and as a part of transformation of transforming the nature of our society,” Dr Robins said. “If we can be caring to the least amongst the animals, then it also teaches us to be caring among ourselves.”

The program differs significantly from the regular school visits the sanctuary hosts several times monthly. While those visits include donkey brushing activities, they lack the comprehensive educational component that allows for detailed instruction on proper animal interaction and care.

The donkey sanctuary itself serves as a crucial facility for animal welfare in Antigua and Barbuda, providing lifetime care for donkeys brought in due to various circumstances. Dr Robins outlined the sanctuary’s mission, noting that donkeys can live 30 to 50 years and historically played pivotal roles in the nation’s social, political and economic development.

“There was a time when Grandma and Grandpa couldn’t go anywhere, couldn’t go to St. John’s without a donkey for carrying cane, carrying cotton, carrying our produce to the market,” Dr Robins said.

However, as the country moved away from agriculture, many donkeys remained with families and began creating problems, including crop damage and road accidents.

The ongoing challenge for the sanctuary remains the lifetime commitment required for each donkey brought into care.

“What the public doesn’t really understand is when we bring them in, we have then that burden for life,” Corbin said. “We have them for life, so it’s an ongoing care – feed, water, all kinds of veterinary drugs, veterinarians. So, we always need help; always.”

The sanctuary, established with assistance from the Donkey Sanctuary UK, provides comprehensive care including veterinary services, healthcare and dental services.

The facility also recently acquired an ultrasound machine through World Veterinary Services, with training scheduled for next month to help diagnose donkey health issues more effectively.

The surgical capabilities have been further enhanced through creative solutions, including a surgical bed constructed from donated mattresses from Jolly Beach Hotel covered with a pond liner.

“Our surgical bed costs hundreds and hundreds of dollars online – in fact, they found one for £8,000,” Corbin said. “We could never do that. Ours works very well because all fluids flow off, we’re able to hose it down all the time.”

Looking ahead, the Humane Society hopes to expand the Animal Ambassador program to additional schools throughout Antigua and Barbuda. Schools interested in participating can contact the organization through its Facebook page or website