The Animal Rescue League of Boston has partnered with Codman Academy Charter Public School to launch the “Healthy Animals – Healthy Communities” initiative, a two-year effort focused on the Codman Square community.

The initiative was formulated with three main components in mind: creating partnerships with community organization to further understand and support the connection between the health of animals and people; identity the need for community-based animal care services; and to offer community-wide education on animal ownership, care, and the civic action of reporting incidents of animal abuse or neglect.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston began this initiative with the hope of integrating animal care, services and needs into the work of local agencies ultimately benefiting the local community and broadening the outreach of the ARL to the Codman Square community.

With the help of the Cummings Foundation, ARL was provided a grant through the “$100K for 100” program. With this grant and the partnership with Codman Academy, ARL will provide a 10-week course, “More than Just Pets: Animals in the Community,” which will be offered at Codman Academy starting this season. The students will be given the opportunity to explore the relationship between humans and animals and the role animals play in the overall mental, social, and physical wellness of humans. They will also interact with an array of different animals and study their behaviors while learning further information on the overall care and welfare of the animals they’re studying.

In addition, ARL will host “Let’s Talk Pets” public workshops and contribute to The Dorchester Sports League’s FitKitchen: Pet Edition where residents are taught how to prepare healthy meals for both their family and pets. Neighborhood surveys will also be conducted to further determine the pet ownership needs in the community.

For more information please visit The Animal Rescue League of Boston online at arlboston.org.