Humane Education

The Society’s professionally trained, credentialed Humane Education Teacher provides classroom presentations to all grade levels at local elementary schools. The goals of the program are to teach compassion and respect for all living creatures, to teach proper care of domestic animals, and to protect wildlife and the environment. To receive more information on this program, or to schedule a presentation, please contact Lynn Hildebrand at (909)386-1400, extension 220.

The expression “The Power of One” was inspired by an article written by Jane Goodall for Time Magazine on Monday, August 26, 2002. In the article Ms. Goodall wrote, “The greatest danger to our future is apathy. You may be overcome, however, by feelings of helplessness. You are just one person in a world of 6 billion. How can your actions make a difference? Best, you say, to leave it to decision makers. And so you do nothing. Can we overcome apathy? Yes, but only if we have hope. We have huge power. Each of us must work as hard as we can now to heal the hurts and save what is left.”

To read the complete article, visit Time.com

Cub Scouts Gather Donations

Cub Scouts from Pack 226, Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland, gathered donations in advance of their visit to the Humane Society. They were happy to give many bags of animal toys, food, towels and other useful items. The Scouts were eager to learn about animals and animal care. They listened intently and eagerly participated in a discussion about how they can make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people.

Eddie, a Kind Kid

Meet Eddie. Eddie decided to raise funds to help abused animals. After considering how his donation could do the most good, we reached the conclusion that purchasing educational books called “What Is Animal Cruelty?”, which would be read by many students and hopefully shared with others, would have a
wonderful and long-time “ripple effect” to reach and teach many people. Eddie took on this project and successfully raised $420 to purchase 420 of these special books!

“I want the word of abused animals to spread like a bee collecting nectar from a flower,” Eddie said. “The children are like bees because they are collecting information and spreading it to others.”

We appreciate you, Eddie, for choosing to make a difference for animals. We couldn’t be more proud of this kind kid!

Animals, Community, and Healing

Katherine Gigandet and Lisa Medina, together with Pilot, Haylee Sue, and Rumor, are an integral part of the Humane Society’s Humane Education program. Learn about the wonderful work they do:

Meet Pilot!

Meet Haylee Sue!

Meet Rumor!

Pictured from left to right, in addition to UCR students are Katherine Gigandet and K9 Pilot, Lisa Medina and K9 Rumor, Erick Farris and K9 Chrystal. Not pictured are other team members K9 Haylee Sue, Shirley Poole and K9 Missy, and Jesus Jimenez and K9 Sandy.

You and your pet can make a difference. With your commitment as a registered Pet Partner, comfort is shared, spirits are lifted, children learn compassion, and humane education comes to life.

Click here for information on evaluation and registration requirements.

What is Spaying and Neutering?

Would you like to sponsor the purchase of the book our humane educator uses in classrooms, What is Spaying and Neutering? And Why Should Pets Have These Operations? In easy-to-understand text and engaging pictures, it explains the huge problems of pet overpopulation and what can be accomplished for animals when we act as responsible pet owners. If ordered in a quantity of 500 or more, these books are only $1.00 each! Would you like to provide this book to hundreds of local school children in grades K-6?

Inland Empire Delta Pet Partner

Meet Kaylynn and Jasper!

Inland Empire Delta Pet Partner Of The Month

The following letter was submitted by Kaylynn’s mother.

Kaylynn got the idea of doing therapy work before she met Jasper. Three years ago, Kaylynn met an alpaca rancher named Mr. Dennis. She and Mr. Dennis became best buddies. She spent all of her free time at Mr. Dennis’ ranch, learning about alpacas. Unfortunately, Mr. Dennis had cancer and his treatments were not working. Dennis entered into the Hospice program this past January. Kaylynn’s visits became more frequent. On one visit while Kaylynn and Dennis strolled through the alpaca enclosures, Dennis told Kaylynn that the alpacas were his best medicine. This statement stuck with Kaylynn. If she found an extra friendly alpaca, she could share it with people who didn’t feel good. Mr. Dennis passed away on March 11, 2010.

Kaylynn never got to share Jasper with Mr. Dennis but I know that he would be very proud of her. The moment Kaylynn met Jasper it was love at first sight. The two were drawn to each other. Jasper followed Kaylynn everywhere and trusted her completely. Kaylynn doesn’t realize that Jasper was actually therapy for her. She lost a very special friend and Jasper heeled that void for her.

Kaylynn began working with Jasper right away. She familiarized him with lots of different sounds, sights, and smells, to prepare him for therapy work. We were very happy to learn that the Inland Empire Pet Partners were willing to evaluate an alpaca and a 10 year old girl.

On July 17, 2010 Kaylynn , who is ten, and Jasper , who had his first birthday on July 9, passed the Delta Society evaluation and became members of the Inland Empire Pet Partners. They began their work right away. Jasper and Kaylynn were invited to the Mission Trail Library. They read stories and did a great alpaca craft with kids 3 -5 years old. With the news of an alpaca in the library, the preschool reading program grew tremendously. It was a win win situation. Kaylynn got to share Jasper and make people smile and the library was ecstatic to have such a motivation for the young readers.

Kaylynn’s favorite experience so far has been visiting an 87 year old man with a bad heart. This little elderly man read an article in a local newspaper and desperately wanted to meet Jasper. He begged his family to take him to a weekend event that Jasper was going to be attending. His family was concerned that traveling would not be good for his heart so they sadly told him no. Fortunately his home health nurse saw the article and happily announced, “I know that alpaca and that little girl!” She called me right away and we arranged to have Jasper visit him at his home. Words can not describe how amazing it was. The hands of time rolled back as this little 87 year old interacted with Kaylynn and Jasper. He became animated and kidlike. His family beamed with excitement as they watched grandpa smile and laugh.

The Pet Partner Program has been a life changing experience for all of us.

I hope that this story motivates other young people to volunteer.

Sharon Turner
Kaylynn’s mother

Monterey CAPS students say “Be Kind to Your Pet!”

I give my pet love and attention.
I walk my pet and make sure she gets plenty of exercise.
Make sure they have shelter in the cold and hot.
I brush my pet.
I give my pet food only that is good for them.
I am kind to my pet by loving and caring for them and by being responsible.
I give my pet fresh food and clean water every day.
I do not bother my pet while he is eating or drinking.

After visiting Ms. Snyder’s third grade class at Salinas Elementary, Haylee Sue, a registered therapy dog, received some beautiful pictures and wonderful thank you notes from the students! Here are some of their thoughts: Thank you for coming! Haylee Sue is awesome! You two guys look like you have fun together. I think Haylee Sue doing the Pug Dance is funny! I like how Haylee takes her blanky off in the morning after the alarm rings! I like how she is a polite student and raises her hand before she asks a question. How did she learn her right foot from her left foot?! I like how she listens. She is well trained. When did you get her? Where did you get her? How big will she grow? I have a question – what does Haylee Sue like to eat best of all? Will you teach me more? Thank you for taking care of Haylee! Thank you for telling us about her. Thank you for keeping Haylee healthy. I loved the time you spent with us. I hope I get to see you again! We had so much fun! Write back!

Here are some of their pictures!

Here in this house… I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs ‘out there’.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I’ll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun’s heat, and the rain’s coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house… There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don’t understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house… I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples’ images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone’s idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone’s anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house… I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch…
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.
Here in this house… I will belong. I will be home.