Brandy and Val

Sunday’s NEW YORK TIMES revealing article, THE ANTI-CRUELTY SYNDROME finally correlated what many animal rights supporters, animal lovers and the like, have believed all along:  there is a definitive link between animal abuse and other forms of violence. DUH!  There is enough convincing scientific evidence out there that now local government agencies are willing to put resources to work that  help track down these violent offenders of animals and also help rehabilitate them, too.  The article points out that animal cruelty awareness is getting its’ just due in this country and that 46 states have laws on the books making various forms of animal abuse a felony.     Perhaps this is great opportunity to revisit the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling which overturned a federal law that made it a crime to create or sell dogfight videos and other depictions of animal cruelty.

The whole article is certainly worth reading, chock full of facts and programs that are being tested and used in communities.   As participants in pet therapy programs, we have always endorsed and mentioned organizations that use animals in helping to teach empathy and responsibility to people.   We’ve also talked about the healing and rehabilitative effects of being near or having an animal in one’s life.   In a twist of irony, the article goes on to say that those who are animal abusers benefit from prolonged exposure working with animals and that equine-therapy programs are especially good at this.  We already know that victims of abuse and emotionally withdrawn individuals benefit from the many pet therapy programs out there, too.

Whether it be the abused,  the abuser or the rest of us, it’s time to acknowledge, respect and benefit from  the power of animals.  Brandy and Val have known this all along!

Brandy and Val are my two rescue dogs that are out and about in the community working with children.  It is through their pet therapy work and the sales of their books:  BRANDY AND VAL; BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY that the goal of “doing good where good is needed”  can be realized.  Animal sanctuaries and rescues throughout the country benefit from every purchase!