How do APOPO rats help people and communities?
They safely detect landmines so the land can be used again, especially for farming
Agree or Disagree: APOPO rats are too heavy to work safely around landmines
Would you trust a dog to detect illness instead of a doctor? Why or why not?
Agree or Disagree: it’s cruel to use animals for jobs, even if they are treated well
Why do many people dislike rats?
Because rats are often seen as dirty, dangerous, or pests
Do you think animals should be used for dangerous work?
How are rats and dogs similar in their abilities?
Both have a strong sense of smell and can be trained to detect dangerous or important things
Agree or Disagree: rats are dirty and should not be trained to help humans
Agree or Disagree: animals should be trained only for entertainment or simple tasks—not for saving lives.
Would you like to work with animals like the ones in the story? Why or why not?
Agree or Disagree: we should rely more on animals instead of machines
Agree or Disagree: the main job of APOPO rats is to rescue people after explosions
Agree or Disagree: dogs are more useful to humans than any other animal
Agree or Disagree: training animals for human benefit is only acceptable if it also benefits the animal.
What makes the rats in the story special?
They are African giant pouched rats trained to find landmines and help save lives
What kind of care do the rats receive?
They are never mistreated, get treats as rewards, and even wear sunblock on their ears and tails.
Schools should teach students about animal heroes and their roles in society
Do you think rats can be heroes? Why or why not?