Non-profit organization Tails That
Teach educates
young children about kindness, compassion, and empathy by bridging the
connection between people and animals through its captivating books, Love Me Gently and Gray Whiskers written by founder, Lisa Wiehebrink. These books
parallel the needs of pets and people and offer age-appropriate lessons for
proper care and safety. They are ideal for grades K-2 and provided at no cost
to elementary schools to supplement character education and promote literacy.
The organization’s goal is empower
the next generation to make good choices and to respectfully care for pets and
people. Teaching kids to properly care for pets helps them grow up to be
compassionate adults and responsible pet owners. By fostering the human-animal bond, children
learn caring connections toward all living beings simply by observing how their
actions directly impact others. Studies prove that children who are taught to
be kind to animals often limits bullying and other abuse. Children are inspired
as they observe how small acts of kindness toward peers and pets can make the
world a better place for all.
Children have a special relationship
with pets. Younger children are just
beginning to learn about themselves and their world and they are fascinated by
the response they receive from animals.
Caring for a pet gives children a sense of empowerment when they are
caring for another living being. This
sense of empowerment turns into compassion and children are able to manifest
that compassion toward other human beings.
Children who live with pets in their home seem to make that transition
more easily than those children who have no interaction with animals.
Children also develop social skills
from talking to and playing with pets. They learn what unconditional love feels
like and they have a companion that they can talk to and tell secrets to. They are able to learn basic effective social
interaction skills and what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Pets respond to emotional cues and can teach
children to respond appropriately and show compassion for those who need it.
In addition to free book donations,
Tails That Teach also provides the Adventures
with Cooper Kit to teachers. This kit is provided to teachers for a unique expansion activity to
teach kindness and inspire students to act with compassion and empathy toward
pets and peers. Included in the reusable canvas tote bag is a set of our books,
a stuffed plush dog, and journal.
Students take turns bringing the kit home so they may read, write, and
even draw about their adventures while learning responsibility and kind care. Classroom teachers across the
country have reported improved critical thinking, decreases in bullying
behaviors and overall increases in morale at schools where these and other
programs are being used. Early education and literacy are key!
