Nov. 8, 2004 – In a first for the island, the Humane Society of the United States is partnering with the Humane Society of St. Thomas to bring an education program to St. Thomas.
The National Association for Humane and Environmental Education will hold a two-day workshop Nov. 19 and 20 at the Elysian Beach Resort from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The "Teach Kids to Care" workshops are designed to teach teachers and other professionals to teach children the meaning of caring for animals.
The Association is the youth education affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States.
This is the first time national association has visited St. Thomas. In May this year, National, international and local experts came to St. Croix to discuss "The Connection between Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence" at a Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference, the first of its kind in the territory, hosted by the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center. (See "Link Between Animal Abuse, Human Violence Explored ").
Joe Elmore, Society executive director, said the abuse issue would be included in the many workshops scheduled over the two days. A workshop on the "Character Connection" focuses on strategies for animal care professionals to partner with schools in teaching children to want to be, basically, kind to animals. It means incorporating the Golden Rule in classrooms, the experts say.
Workshops include:
– The Power of Narrative – using stories to teach empathy.
– Keep Humane Education in School Even When You Can't Be! – an overview of the Association's Adopt-a-Classroom program.
– The Character Connection – making the connection between character education and humane education.
-Rebels With a Cause: Reaching Teens Through Service-Learning – incorporating teen shelter volunteers without necessarily having them handle animals or volunteer on-site.
– Reach a Teacher: Arranging and Conducting In-Service Workshops – how to prepare and present a teacher in-service workshop.
The workshops will help animal care and control administrators and humane law enforcement officers enhance their credentials and give pointers on using their limited resources more effectively. Elmore stressed that there are scholarships available for the program. He can be contacted at 775-0599.
Early registration, before Nov. 12, is $40, and $50 after that date. The workshops include lunch both days, and rooms at the Elysian will be available at $125. Registration brochures are available from the association. E-mail your request to [email protected] or call (860) 434-8666 for a faxed registration form, and for further information, call the Humane Society at 775-0599.
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