Zoo Programs

If the father of 3-year-old Zachary Kline (June 16) had contacted the education department at the Los Angeles Zoo, he would have learned that docents provide many hands-on outreach programs for exceptional children.

Earlier in June, Braille Institute participants made their yearly visit to see what new bio-facts and animals the zoo had for them to touch and learn about. The zoo’s volunteers and GLAZA docents make yearly visits to the Braille Institute with our outreach program. We have also visited the preschool at Zachary’s school, Frances Blend, with our hands-on outreach program.

The volunteers who put on the children’s “Animals and You” show (at 11 a.m. and noon each day) at the zoo are also trained to gear their presentation to visitors who may have special needs. They often give an extra show just for our special visitors.

We hope Mr. Kline and other parents and teachers of special-needs children or adults will call the zoo to find out more about our special education programs.

MARILYN RUDZIK, MICKEY JONES, SHAREE CILBERT, PAT SILVERMAN, Special Education Programs, Los Angeles Zoo