SPCA ‘boxercise’ following assault of staff member
General manager of the SPCA, Caroline Smith, said while fun was had, there was also a serious element to the training at the boxing gym.
STAFF of the Durban & Coast SPCA recently had a team-building day at Domination Knuckle Game gym. The staff were put through their paces by trainer, Heinz Pflugler. While there was an element of fun to be had, the day also had a serious background.
According to Caroline Smith, general manager of the association, one of the staff members was recently assaulted by an angry member of the public.
“One of our inspectors left a note at a property where we received information about a dog being chained. The member of the public later showed up at our premises in Springfield Park and demanded to see the inspector who wasn’t there. One of our staff members tried to calm him down and was struck across the face.
“She was extremely traumatised by the incident, we even opened a case of assault at the Greenwood Park SAPS. I thought about getting the staff’s morale up and to host a team building exercise with a twist. So we decided to contact Heinz and do a bit of self-defence with an element of fun attached to it,” she explained.
Heinz Pflugler, who trained the staff, said he was impressed wit their energy.
“We’ve created something we like to call ‘box’ercise and I’m sure the staff would agree, there’s no better fitness than this. I was really impressed with the staff, our philosophy isn’t to teach people to fight but rather equip them to be more aware in situations like the horrible one experienced by the member of staff. I’ve been very impressed with their energy,” he said.
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