Write your awesome label here.

Why Humane Education?

There is a link between kindness to animals and creating nurturing relationships with others.
Humane education teaches responsibility and compassion and cultivates kindness towards animals and the natural world. Students learn empathy for peers and others while promoting awareness of animal welfare issues in their community.
Introducing

The Animal Connection

The Animal Connection seeks to foster empathy, responsibility, and compassionate action through nurturing kindness towards animals and nature. Students develop empathy for their peers and others while raising awareness about animal welfare in their community. We help teachers create the next generation of animal advocates who are compassionate action-makers. The Animal Connection believes in:

EMPATHY

RESPONSIBILITY

COMPASSIONATE ACTION

Benefits of The Animal Connection

The Animal Connection satisfies New Mexico’s Public Education Department’s core standards and is intended to supplement your classroom instruction. Participating classrooms learn:

Humane Stewardship
of Animals

The lessons and activities promote and raise awareness about the importance of compassion for animals.

Acceptance and Responsibility

All activities and exercises introduce students to becoming responsible guardians and advocates for animals’ welfare.

Compassion and Empathy
for Others

A critical result of the lessons is a proven development of kindness and concern for others.

Animal Protection New Mexico (APNM) offers New Mexico educators
the chance to use The Animal Connection curriculum online at no cost.

Our Social Emotional Learning Approach

The program also addresses the Social Emotional Learning Framework, facilitating student development into compassionate, responsible, and proactive members of society. This results in a stronger bond between teacher and student and overall classroom engagement—critical components of SEL. Participating teachers have observed many of the following outcomes:
  • Improved Student Behavior
  • Better student engagement with subjects like writing, math, and science
  • Increased social awareness and empathy for animals, each other, and the community
  • Enhanced critical thinking and perspective-taking skills
  • Stronger academic and civic engagement as compassionate action-makers

Testimonials

New Mexico Teachers love The Animal Connection:

“The duration and quality of this program are sure to leave a lasting impression on my students. Many have never known a properly cared for animal. And now they have a reference point for the rest of their lives.”
- 4th Grade Teacher
“The Animal Connection has made a huge impact on my class. They learned about what causes a person to be a bully and have openly discussed episodes of bullying that have taken place within my own class! They have taken this to heart and treat each other with more kindness.”
- 5th Grade Teacher
“The Animal Connection program engaged my students in topics that are rarely discussed in a school setting. By talking about animals and the neglect and abuse some experience, my students developed compassion for those that are innocent and vulnerable…even classmates.”
- 6th Grade Teacher

New Mexico Parents also love The Animal Connection:

“Isiah has spoken a great deal to us about The Animal Connection program. He was most concerned about why shelters become overcrowded. He gets... spaying and neutering. I am so thankful Isiah gets to be part of learning the true meaning of taking care of animals and the responsibilities animals come with. We feel this is a fantastic program.”
- Parent of a 4th Grade Student
“Before this program, it was always mom and dad feeding the dog. Our son now realizes how much it takes to take care of an animal. He has taken over feeding, watering, and walking the dog. We appreciate this program as our son has been more involved all around.”
- Parent of a 5th Grade Student
“On Animal Connection days, Kelly always came home with a wealth of knowledge and proudly shared all she had learned about animals. When small, she always said she wanted to be a veterinarian. As a 5th grader, she became more interested in being a video game developer. The Animal Connection renewed her passion for animals and hopes to be a veterinarian. This is a great program to have in our schools.”
- Parent of a 6th Grade Student

Students served
across New Mexico

Teachers using
The Animal Connection

Classrooms in New Mexico

Interested in Our Curricula?

The Animal Connection and The Animal Connection Jr. courses satisfy New Mexico Public Education Department’s Core Standards.

Thank you to The Animal Connection sponsors:

The Bonner Family Foundation

The Nusenda Foundation

Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation

The Latham Foundation

Meisje's Fund

Pages

Get in touch

Copyright © 2024