Learning Center

Pet Overpopulation

Program Objective: Understand the concept of "pet overpopulation", what it means to the animals and what solutions exist 

This is O.P.P.'s signature learning program where we use games to demonstrate the pet overpopulation problem and how it affects dogs and cats.  A second game is used to demonstrate why the solution of spay/neuter works in resolving the problem.

Dog Language 101

Program Objective: Understand what dogs and cats are communicating to us through their body language

Dogs and cats are always communicating with us! We need to understand what they are saying. Developed by our Director of Training, Sandy Adcock, we use pictures to uncover how dogs and cats communicate to us that they are happy, calming down, stressed and mad.

How to approach a new dog

Program Objective: Understand and practice how to approach a new dog on leash and why not to approach free-roaming dogs

This program is excellent for younger audiences. After talking through how to approach new dogs, the kids get to practice. The program concludes with a discussion of why not to approach free roaming dogs.

Adopt vs Buy

Program Objective: Understand the difference between adopting and buying a pet

This program begins with a quick game to understand the concept of business. A  presentation follows to discuss where puppies in stores come from, how puppies end up in county shelters and the difference between buying and adopting.

Dog Breeds

Program Objective: Understand breed categories and characteristics and the challenges each breed category faces

 A discussion and pictures describe the 7 categories of breeds and their characteristics. A game follows where characteristics are matched to the appropriate breed category.

The Business of Saving Lives:  ACES International Conference asked Our Pal's Place Executive Director, Gigi Graves, to present a 90 minute session on how to apply business knowledge in the non-profit sector. Through case studies and personal experience of creating Our Pal's Place Pet Adoption Facility and Learning Center, she stepped through the most important business concepts needed to make an animal advocacy organization successful. Two years later she was invited back again to be a key speaker on the business of saving lives.

Animal Abuse & Neglect: Georgia Highlands College asked Our Pal's Place to speak on animal abuse and neglect for a class' service project. We created a presentation that addressed abuse and neglect faced by domesticated pets, circus animals and farm livestock. And, more importantly, we provided solutions to the problems discussed and how the class could take action.

The Connection between Pet and Human Abuse: Kennesaw State University asked Our Pal's Place to join a panel discussion for human services, criminal justice, social work, sociology, nursing, education and non-profit leadership majors. Our discussion linked these fields of service to pets with studies proving that human abuse is preceded by animal abuse.