COVID-19 has thrown families for a loop, especially as the school year starts back up. Online schooling has sent students and parents scrambling, but a local Valley animal shelter is offering a solution.

The Arizona Animal Welfare League just launched its “Learning Pawds,” very small group settings in which kids can work on their schoolwork in a safe, clean and socially distanced environment – with the added benefit of meeting exotic animals throughout the school day! Learning Pawds continue on weekday through the end of September. Daily and weekly programs are available.

The “Pawds” are supervised by AAWL’s experienced Education Department staff. Learning Pawds are strictly limited to groups of 10 students and 2 instructors. The Pawds follow a rigorous sanitization schedule and temperatures are taken daily upon arrival for all staff and students.

Learning Pawds include:
Supervision by AAWL Education Department staff
Guidance for kids to stay on top of coursework
Visits from AAWL’s exotic Animal Ambassadors throughout the school day
Supervised lunch, snack and break times without screens.
Activities include games, crafts and possible “field trips” to visit the main AAWL shelter’s cats and dogs

Times and costs:
Cost: $50 per day or $200 per week
- Before Care: 7:30 am to 9 am
Cost: $20 per day | $80 per week
- After Care: 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: $20 per day | $80 per week

For more information and to register your child, visit aawl.org/education/facilitated-onsite-learning.