SAVE — A Friend to Homeless AnimalsWhy Humane Education?
In order for children to think critically, make decisions and behave in a humane way, they must develop a set of cognitive and socio-emotional capabilities. Children must be able to cognitively understand another's experience before they can develop the emotional capacity to empathize. Only when a child masters the capacity to empathize can he or she develop a genuine concern for the welfare of others and a willingness to act on this concern.
Children often experience a natural affinity for animals — one that researchers find begins in infancy. Research demonstrates very tangible benefits to children who form bonds with companion animals:
- The children score higher on measures of social competence and empathy
- Children with higher empathy scores also showed greater empathy towards people
- Animals can facilitate social interaction between children
