Using Animal Care to Promote Empathy in Children

Animal care is a people issue so prior to registration we conduct information sessions at the dip tanks and schools surrounding the site selected for the clinic each year. 

We explain the Clinical and Surgery services on offer and the importance of each.

Time for questions allows us to address common miss conceptions, for example:

• The lingual frenulum under a dog’s tongue is a worm that needs to be cut out.
• A dog that is neutered will no long protect the homestead
• Spaying or neutering a hunting dog will slow it down
• A cat gives birth by vomiting the kitties out
• For a cat to be a good mouser it needs to be stolen not given

Accurate information combined with our Annual Veterinary Clinic creates first hand positive experiences at family and community level that slowly breaks the cycle of How do you know that you don’t know, if you don’t know?

Your support gives the consistency needed for this process of behaviour change to take root. Thank you.

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VUSUMNOTFO - Parenting for a Sustainable Future™

Our Mission - To reverse dependency - we strengthen child development and learning practices in 17 Swazi communities

Our Motto - Do what you can, with what you have, now

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Early Childhood Programme - tackling insufficient understanding of how young children develop and learning, including factors that influence this

Activity 1.1. Parenting - ii) conduct a veterinary clinic annually, to promote animal care as a positive demonstration of responsibility and empathy to children

Permissions and protocols are now complete for our 10th Annual Veterinary Clinic on Sept 26.

Swaziland Veterinary Association confirmed their services, pending another outbreak of Foot & Mouth requiring their full attention.

We have received signed permission from the relevant Umphakatsi (chiefdom council), community school and pollice station.

Dip tank officers have selected the 5 dip tanks we will attend for raising awareness and answering questions about the Clinic, starting Sept 1. 

SAWS Animal Welfare Society has confirmed lending specialized equipment and their help in the Clinical room.

Medicial supplies are being ordered. This is often a challenge as the prescription & permit process for scheduled drugs has many controlled steps involving both South Africa and Eswatini.

The community flyer for 2026 is being circulated on social media, WhatsApp, across our activities, and in person. 

Most importantly, we are receiving calls from the community at large about “when and where is the clinic this year?”. 

This is a direct result of positive first hand experience from community members who brought dogs or cats to our previous clinics. 

Word of mouth based on positive results is the best advertizement and it is so rewarding to see this taking root!

Your support is what  allows us to engage with confidence in the critical planning required to bring much needed veterinary services and education to rural Eswatini. THANK YOU

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VUSUMNOTFO - Parenting for a Sustainable Future™

Our Mission - To reverse dependency - we strengthen child development and learning practices in 17 Swazi communities

Our Motto - Do what you can, with what you have, now

--------------------------

Early Childhood Programme - tackling insufficient understanding of how young children develop and learning, including factors that influence this

Activity 1.1. Parenting - ii) conduct a veterinary clinic annually, to promote animal care as a positive demonstration of responsibility and empathy to children