Something was buzzing at the Benzi Pet stay in Thoraipakkam on April 25 apart from the routine barking of dogs. Ten enthusiastic kids had gathered for a workshop on how to behave with dogs and avoid bites from stray dogs. Nirmiti Prassi and Prasanna Gopinath, who were canine trainers and behaviourists conducted the workshop.
The duo began with a presentation on the signs that a dog gives when it is excited and wants to play. They spoke about the importance to stay as still as a tree when facing an unfamiliar dog , and how not to make any sudden movements. The presentation was soon wrapped up because of the kids demanding to see the dogs.
The dogs were brought down one by one to see how well the kids were prepared. All of them remembered to stand as still as a tree and were soon quite comfortable with the dogs. They played with the Labrador, a Dalmatian and the star, a German Shepherd, Benzi, after whom the pet stay was named.
The dogs were very excited to play with the kids and their tails were wagging and tongues were hanging. Many kids said that they weren’t afraid of dogs anymore and that they enjoyed everything they did in the workshop. A perfect way to spend the precious hours of summer vacation, play with dogs!
Gopika is an Economics graduate on the outside, and a writer on the inside. She used to be a student reporter for YOCee which she says, gave her the kickstart to move on to writing with her university magazine – The Context, an online news website called the Bastion, and become a peer tutor at the University Writing Centre, Her post-lockdown plan currently is to do her two-year fellowship with Teach for India