“A lot of times people when they are reluctant to open up with another person, they’ll open up when an animal is there,” Taravella said. “It makes them feel more relaxed, more calm and just more willing to share.”
It happened today with special need students. K.J., like Hope, has a hearing challenge, but articulates well how animals can teach empathy to humans.
“They won’t judge them. They won’t lie to them,” said K.J. Huey, an 8th grader. “No matter what trauma they’ve been through, they’ll eventually come around.”
Morgan Faulkner, student-“If you give them the love they need, they will give you the love you want.”
By Donna McCollum
