Animal Welfare and Children

          As far back as I can remember in my early childhood my family had pets, dogs, cats, rabbits.  There is a lot I can not remember about my childhood but I do remember each and every pet we had and how with the love and companionship these animals gave me they helped to shape me as a compassionate human being.

         I have spent a big part of my life involved with animal welfare and and teaching children and adults how important of a role animals can play in our lives. The very 1st lesson I believe children should learn is how to respect a animals space and how to approach stray or their neighbors, or friends animals.  There is a unbelievable amount of dog bites  every day in this country that may have been avoided if only children and adults would have been taught these safety lessons and practiced them when around dogs.

        These lessons are pretty basic and really should be part of children's education by parents, schools, or other people involved in your child's life.

       When a child or even a adult is bitten or attacked by a dog, it not only sometimes leaves physical scars but also emotional scars to where a fear of all dogs is implanted into that person's mind. This fear is not good for them or fair to other dogs or animals but I have sen people scared of all dogs or other animals because they were bit or attacked when they were young.  So I think we owe it to our children to make sure they are educated on animal safety!

       Below is some educational links for you to get information on child safety and dogs and other links to get you and your children involved in animal welfare.  Take time and teach your children so they do not have to live with a fear of animals. We owe it to them and to our animal friends.