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The Power of Humane Education

© Sherrie Walker

Other organizations have also developed programs to help at-risk youth, such as Home For Life's Renaissance Program. Youths from a nearby alternative school train dogs that, like themselves, are "at risk" because of problem behaviors. The positive techniques the kids learn for modifying the dogs' behaviors can be helpful to them in dealing with problems in their own lives. Working with animals can exert a healing influence on adults, as well. Inmates at a minimum-security prison in Texas work with dogs that are in training to act as guides for visually impaired people throughout the state.

Some would question the time and effort spent caring for homeless pets when there are homeless people needing help, or feeding colonies of feral cats when children are going hungry. The truth is that the child who learns to feel compassion for a stray kitten is more likely to grow into the teenager who helps pick up trash along a local creek and the adult who helps raise money for a women's shelter. That is the true power of humane education.

For some great children's books that teach respect for animals through entertaining stories, check out The Grovehill Gang.