The P.A.T.C.H. Challenge
Local businessman Frank Apa adopted Patch, a Shih Tzu puppy. Patch was a sweet endearing little dog and when he began coming to work, he quickly became the company companion, mascot and spokes-dog. As a canine ambassador, he exemplified all the reasons why having animals in our lives has a positive impact.
Sadly, in August of 2002, Patch passed away. To honour his long-time companion, Mr. Apa dedicated the month of September at the dealership. Over the month, a donation was made from each car sale and the dealership raised $13,300! The money was generously donated to the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) in Patch’s memory. This donation enabled the shelter to create the P.A.T.C.H. Challenge – a program which highlights the human-animal bond. Patch, the little dog’s name, has come to stand for People and Animals Together Create Harmony. Since then, Mr. Apa, President of Lexus of Oakville, has continued to dedicate the month of August to support the kindness initiative and makes a substantial donation every year. Since inception, this program has raised $223,113.25.
Through the P.A.T.C.H. program, we challenge students in our community to be kind to people and animals. We challenge teachers to bring OMHS into their classrooms. We will continue to recognize children in our community who demonstrate kindness to all living things. The P.A.T.C.H. Challenge is made possible through the generous donation of Mr. Apa and Lexus of Oakville.
Take The P.A.T.C.H. Challenge as part of your school’s humane education program.
Learn why People & Animals Together Create Harmony
The P.A.T.C.H. Challenge program compliments the Ontario curriculum and delivers the following learning expectations for primary students:
- Effective communication
- Making sense of simple written materials
- Listening to stories and poetry
- Sorting and classifying objects
- Counting
- Demonstrating curiosity and care for the natural world
- Demonstrating an awareness of health and safety practices
- Demonstrating a positive attitude towards themselves and others
Preschool Challenge
Ages: 3-4 years old
Presentation: Approximately 30 minutes
Our programs for preschool children are interactive and fun. Children will learn about responsible pet ownership, safety around animals, and lending a helping hand. A small animal is brought to the school for the children to interact with.
Primary School Children
Ages: 5-13 years old
Presentation: Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour
Children will learn about responsible pet ownership, safety around animals, and lending a helping hand. A small animal is brought to the school for the children to interact with.
Secondary School Children
Ages: 13-18 years old
Presentation: Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour
Our programs follow the Ontario curriculum. Topics include: animal appreciation, responsible pet ownership, wildlife and habitats, pet overpopulation, animal cruelty, animal rights and the law, and much more. We can also design a presentation to suit your needs. You can also request that an animal come to class for the students to interact with.
P.A.T.C.H. CHALLENGE RECOGNITION
Do you have a child who loves animals and has done great things to help them? Each year, OMHS recognizes a child who helped an animal(s). If your child has shown an act of kindness to an animal, we would like to hear from you. Please click on the button below to nominate a kind child. All children will receive a letter acknowledging their kindness. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 21 at 5pm.
All nominees will be put into a random draw with one winner chosen. The presentation will be made on Saturday, August 29 at Lexus of Oakville, time TBD. Winner will be notified by email and/or phone. This presentation is made possible thanks to the generosity of Mr. Frank Apa, President of Lexus of Oakville and founder of the P.A.T.C.H. Challenge.
