This morning MCAST launched the first ever downloadable mobile app game specifically designed for by the Service Dogs Malta Foundation (SDMF) by MCAST student Irisann-Maria Agius. The launch took place in the presence of Hon Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment.
Buddy, Harley and Faith are the three golden retrievers that walked down the red carpet to receive their official service dog vests from the head trainer of the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, Robert Spiteri, and the graduation certificate from Joseph Stafrace, founder of the organisation.
Mr. Joseph Stafrace, one of the Founders of the Service Dogs Malta Foundation (SDMF) and Mr. Rossano Cuschieri General Secretary of SDMF, approached the Institute of ICT in January 2017. The intention behind this meeting was to evaluate the possibility of developing an application that raises awareness to the public on how trained dogs can be considered as essential for the life of persons with disability. The project was taken on board by the ICT Technical College.
Various meetings with a good number of students were set to disseminate the aim of the project as well as to encourage students’ participation. Despite the work load for her final assignments, Irisiann Maria Agius, a student reading Multimedia Software Development programme, took a step forward and decided to take the challenge for this project and successfully developed an educational Game which can be accessed from the Service Dogs Malta Foundation website.