Author: Shannon Gusy, Founder of Love Tails Pet Care
Humane Education changes lives. Dr. Annie Petersen, who joined the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s (SDHS) ever-growing Communications and Community Engagement department in 2004, knows this firsthand. Spearheading the Humane Education youth programs at SDHS, she helps children to learn about and how to emotionally connect with animals. In their smiles and stories, she has seen that time spent with animals is not only a therapeutic comfort, but often an empowering and transformational experience
When Dr. Petersen heard of the Los Angeles SPCA’s program, TLC (Teaching Love and Compassion), she immediately sent for information. This violence-prevention program works with at-risk-youth to develop coping skills, increased self-esteem and empathy towards living beings. Annie observed the six-week TLC course in person and was struck by the way the children responded. No matter what they were going through in their personal lives, TLC became a positive outlet for them. Experiencing love and compassion for animals was a vehicle for change, helping them to develop more love and compassion towards themselves. Annie was inspired to create a similar program at the San Diego Humane Society: TRUST (Teaching Respect Using Sympathy and Training).
Educator Laura Leonard was hired to develop TRUST and now facilitates the three week after-school program in communities throughout San Diego. Most recently, Laura worked with a group of six middle schoolers at Pro Kids Learning Center in City Heights; an organization that supports San Diego’s underserved youth.
Helping someone in need, however small, is a fulfilling and empowering act. During this series of TRUST lessons at Pro Kids, the students primarily worked with rats, though rabbits have also been lesson participants. Divided into teams of two, each pair of students trained and bonded with one rat. At the completion of the program, their rat became available for adoption and was more likely to find a loving home as a result of his training and socialization.
In working together to help such small creatures find homes, the students were learning the very definition of compassion. For an hour and a half after school Wednesday through Friday, the students could focus on these small animals and get lost in their love for them. The rats quickly became an immense source of joy and entertainment. When a rat climbed up onto someone’s shoulder or bruxed (a sound that indicates pleasure, like purring for cats), the students beamed with smiles. They each grew to know their rat extensively and at any moment could name his sex, age, tricks, temperament, likes and dislikes. They wrote in their journals every night on the thoughts and feelings that working with the rats inspired. They learned animal behavior and body language. They also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the San Diego Humane Society where they interacted with an adoptable dog, visited the Veterinary Medical Suite and learned important lessons about spaying and neutering, microchipping and more.
At the end of the three-week session, the students had a formal graduation. Beforehand, Laura had told them that they could say a few words about what they had learned. She was thrilled to see that the students went above and beyond to prepare typed presentations. Each stood at the front of the room and read with visible passion about humane treatment towards all living beings. Family, friends and fellow classmates looked on and applauded them.
One student named Cookie said, “You treat the rat like you would want to be treated. You are patient and gentle with him. You don’t just say ‘do that.’ You have to set goals and take steps.” Jacob, another student said, “You don’t know someone until you spend time with them. You don’t want to judge someone by what they look like or how big or small they are.” Wendy said, “I didn’t have much confidence that I could help my rat in the beginning. But that changed. If he could talk now, I think he’d say I was his best friend.” Approaching their teenage years and its challenges, these were invaluable lessons for the group to experience, know in their hearts, and carry with them throughout their lifetimes.
TRUST lends to the opportunity to teach in layers. When the students learned that the average life-span for a rat is up to three years, a few became disheartened. Cookie whispered to Jacob. “But the rats are so special, I wish they lived a lot longer.”
Laura responded, “It’s true that just like you, each rat is special. There is no one exactly like him and he is a great friend to have. But the thing about animals is that they are always living in this moment. Their feelings concern only right now. And right now, you are all giving them so much love, and that’s what it’s about, right? Love and compassion.”
Cookie lifted her eyes from the rat she held in both of her hands, still petting him gently. “Totally,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
TRUST is an after school program initiated by the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. TRUST is a three-week course designed to help kids in middle-school learn about living creatures and the respect they deserve. For more information, visit www.sdhumane.org
