Today, another “Conversations About Important Things” lesson was held in Russian schools, this time on the topic of pets. The lesson explored why people have pets, what role animals play in human life, and which animals became famous for their service to humans.
Despite the peaceful and seemingly harmless topic, the lesson authors introduced a military context. In grades 5–7, students were told about animals that played a significant role during World War II.
“Under fire, horses, reindeer, and even camels transported ammunition, field kitchens, and wounded soldiers. Mine-detecting dogs also played a crucial role, finding mines and unexploded shells. For example, the famous shepherd Dzhulbars discovered hundreds of mines and shells, saving the lives of many Soviet soldiers,” — the teacher says.
In grades 8–9, students learned about the feat of a dog named Rex, who reportedly swam across the Dnipro River three times to maintain communication between regiments, and about a cat named Mostik, who became a symbol of the bridge built by Russia to occupied Crimea.
“Have you heard of modern animal celebrities? For example, the ginger-and-white cat Mostik became an unofficial symbol of the Crimean Bridge. Builders took in a small kitten, who quickly became not only their favorite but also a social media star with tens of thousands of followers,” — the teacher explains.
In grades 10–11, a cat named Bagheera was presented as an example of animals serving humans—she is said to “assist artillery units in the SMO zone.”
According to the lesson script, teachers were also expected to convey that the issue of stray animals is a human responsibility and that animal rights in Russia are protected by law. At the same time, in 17 regions of the country it is officially permitted to capture and euthanize stray dogs.
The lesson concluded with safety guidelines on how to behave when encountering an aggressive stray dog.
