ASPCA Education: Service Learning: How to Make Catnip Toy and Bake Dog Biscuits

Teacher Instructions

In this activity, students are introduced to animal shelters, the process of adopting a pet and about servicelearning. Read or ask your students to read “Let’s Get a Pup” Said Kate by Bob Graham (Candlewick Press, 2001) or Lucky, A Dog’s Best Friend by Gus Clarke (Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2005). Both books introduce students to the animal shelter as a place from which to adopt pets into the family.

After reading one of the books, explain to your students that the class will be making some special treats and/or toys for the animals at your local animal shelter. These activities are the service component of service-learning.

For the learning component of the activity, following the instructions on Activity Sheet #1, and ask your students to measure out specific quantities of the necessary ingredients.

Visit www2.aspca.org/findashelter or check your local phone book to find shelters in your area.

STANDARDS:
NCTM Mathematics #1:
Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement.

NCTM Mathematics #2:
Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements.

NCTE English Language Arts #1:
Reading for perspective.

CNAEA Visual Arts #1:
Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes.

CATNIP TOY

Supplies:

- Infant—or child—size crew socks
- Cotton balls or craft stuffing
- Dried catnip
- Non-toxic permanent markers
- Non-toxic washable fabric glue

Instructions:
- Stuff the toe of the sock with 1 tablespoon of dried catnip.

- Next, stuff the foot of the sock with cotton balls or craft stuffing.

- Squeeze fabric glue on the inside of the sock’s ribbing to glue the sock closed, or knot the top of the sock.

- Decorate with fabric markers.

NOTE: DO NOT add a fabric or yarn tail. It can be swallowed and become caught in the cat’s intestines, which could possibly result in a need for surgery.

CRUNCH AND MUNCH DOG BISCUITS
Make sure there’s an adult to supervise, and read the entire recipe before you begin baking.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add to vegetable or chicken stock. Next, combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl; add stock mixture.

3. Knead mixture on a floured surface for about 3 minutes, working into a stiff dough. Roll out to a thickness of 1/4 inch. You can cut the dough into bars or use a dog-bone cookie cutter.

4. Beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon milk. Brush each biscuit with a little of the egg/milk mixture and place on cookie sheets. Bake for about 45 minutes.

5. Turn off the heat, but leave biscuits in the oven overnight. This makes them hard and crunchy.

6. Give biscuit to dog and watch the shelter dog munch away!

Ingredients:
- 1 package dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 pint vegetable or chicken stock
- 3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
- 2 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup rye flour
- 2 cups cracked wheat or wheat germ
- 1/2 cup dry milk
- 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Makes 4- to 5-dozen dog biscuits