Earlier this week, Hector, one of 51 dogs rescued from Mike Vick's Bad Newz Kennels, visited a 3rd grade class in St. Paul. Hector is a registered therapy dog, and one of his owners, Clare Yori, was with Hector and teaching the kids about careing for animals and not abusing them. The students' teacher said she hopes the lessons they learned from Hector help the students to treat animals -- and people -- more compassionately.
The video is well worth watching. Teaching kids how to care for animals is important if we are to solve, long term, the problem with abuse. Meanwhile, children also don't carry with them the same stereotypes and prejudices that adults do -- and teaching them about 'pit bulls' is also valuable.
I nominate Hector for the Ed Block Courage Award! The courage he has shown in overcoming violence and abuse in his past makes him the perfect community role model AND the perfect Ambassador of Courage for victims of violence, abuse and neglect!
Posted by: Jenn | December 28, 2009 at 06:00 PM