American Humane Expands Educational Program on Animal Welfare for Colorado Schoolchildren 2/20/2004
From: Anna Gonce of American Humane, 303-925-9462 or annag@americanhumane.org DENVER, Feb. 20 -- Thanks to support from U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), American Humane received a federal appropriations award to teach Colorado schoolchildren tolerance and empathy through a relationship with animals. Denver-based nonprofit American Humane received the award based on its 126-year-old tradition as a national leader in professional education, training, advocacy, research, and evaluation related to child and animal welfare. The funds were appropriated through the U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Education Account. American Humane intends to expand existing educational programs that help students and communities learn to prepare for and care for animals during natural and /or man-made disasters. The curriculum will also include general information about proper care of animals. "If we are ever going to be successful in ending the cycle of violence in our society, we must build empathy and humane behavior within children when they are young. Thanks to Sens. Allard and Campbell we will be able to take the message of humane education to schoolchildren across Colorado," says Suzanne Barnard, American Humane's vice president of public policy. American Humane's education efforts will utilize the resources of its Red Star Emergency Services program. Red Star was created in 1916 after American Humane was invited by the U.S. War Department to assist animals used by the U.S. Army during World War I. Red Star has since evolved into a respected national emergency response system that has assisted thousands of communities in Colorado and across the nation. In the past, American Humane has partnered with cable affiliate Animal Planet in a nationwide touring educational, entertainment center that spreads the word to communities about how to prepare for and care for their animals during disasters. The appropriations award will allow American Humane to continue this work independently. In 2002, American Humane presented Sen. Allard with its 2001 Humane Legislator of the Year Award for his support of measures that better the lives of children and animals. Recently, Sen. Allard sponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act and anti-cockfighting legislation, included in the Farm Bill of 2001. Sen. Nighthorse Campbell recently supported the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, and a resolution recognizing the social problem of child abuse and neglect. "Both senators recognize the power and impact interaction with animals can have on school-age children," said Barnard. "We sincerely appreciate their continued interest and support." For more information about American Humane and its programs, please visit http://www.americanhumane.org. About American Humane Founded in 1877, American Humane is the only national organization dedicated to both child and animal protection. Headquartered in Denver, with regional offices in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, American Humane provides national leadership in the development of programs and policies, empowering child and animal protection professionals with valuable information and support resources. For more information, visit http://www.americanhumane.org. |