Two years ago, folks representing education, science, child welfare and animal advocacy came together to promote principles of humane education in elementary schools in the Lakeside area.
They adopted the name Humane Education Alliance (HEA). The focus of HEA is to improve the quality of life by fostering the early development of humane values in children through the teaching of respect and compassion for animals.
The natural bond between children and animals is well known. However, if it deteriorates into acts of cruelty and disrespect, it can result in an extension of destructive attitudes toward other human beings. Animal cruelty in a child is a warning that something is not going well in the child’s life. The HEA program lessens bullying and violence by increasing empathy and compassion for animals, taking the animals (usually dogs) right into the classroom. The result will be more caring and responsible adults who have learned that animals have feelings and needs similar to humans.The experimental pilot program being conducted for the past year for seven to 12-year-olds in local public and private schools has had positive results. Both the children and their teachers are enthusiastic: the kids because for them connection to animals is natural and instinctive and the teachers because they see the program reducing aggressiveness and bullying behavior in the children. Another positive result is the improved treatment of animals, as well.
HEA has produced humane education DVDs and notebooks for teachers to use this year. Teachers will be provided with links to additional information that they can access on the worldwide web.
Those interested in support the ongoing work of HEA or becoming an assistant in the program should contact John Marshall at 766-1170 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Eliana Herria at (cel.) 331-544-8143.