Humane Education Club(HEC), of Barry Goldwater High School in Phoenix, Arizona  is an extracurricular club that meets bimonthly after school for students interested in making a difference in animal welfare, learning about animal issues, training young children K-6 and fundraising on behalf of animals. We have field trips that add to our knowledge of animal welfare. HEC was formed in 2000, under the guidance of school psychologist Georgia Benyk, a long time animal advocate. Mrs. Elaine Smith, a special education teacher, is training the club on scrap booking club photos and volunteers at every meeting.

Animal abuse in the home often means that child abuse is taking place as well. A child who is abusing animals has taken the first step on the path of violence toward other people.  HEC believes that humane education is the only way to long-term change for animals.

HEC members recently investigated animal cruelty laws in all U.S. states. After determining that California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Washington have the most stringent laws in the nation, club members drafted a proposal for a universal animal cruelty law. For people convicted of animal cruelty, HEC suggests mandatory psychiatric and psychological testing at the defendant’s expense, a minimum $1,000 fine, a minimum of one year in jail, and mandatory community service, among other things. HEC sent copies of their proposal to every state senator last year in Washington.

Last Easter, HEC hid plastic Easter eggs with messages inside them around their school. The messages include tips such as “Save seven million lives a year. Spay, neuter, and microchip,” “Please do not buy a bunny or chick for Easter unless you plan on providing lifetime care,” and “Keep animals out of hot cars and do not transport them in the backs of pickup trucks.” The student who found the most eggs won a giant plush rabbit!

This year HEC had a poster contest on ocean conservation. All posters were displayed in the Environmental Science Class during one entire day of 6 different class periods. The winner was Vice President , Mattie Finney, who depicted a beached whale in South Carolina. Ocean pollutants such as plastic jugs, rubber and 35 feet of rope were found in her stomach. Mattie received a certificate of 6 community service hours by displaying her poster to all 6 classes for voting.

This year, we have had two field trips and have one more scheduled. The first was a visit to a “horse whisperer” in Carefree, Arizona. Milton Joseph of Windwalker Expeditions demonstrated humane training techniques that are superior to “horse breaking” which diminishes the trust and spirit of a horse.  Our second field trip was a visit to Scottsdale, Arizona to witness equine therapy with a child with cerebral palsy.  Chris Hudson of Stable Influence is the creator of a therapeutic technique which helps tone and stretch muscles which would otherwise atrophy in a wheelchair or bed.  Our last field trip for the year is to the Campus for Compassion at the Arizona Humane Society. It is a premier no kill shelter in Arizona

Additionally, HEC hosts guest speakers at every meeting.  They also perform humane education skits for elementary school students in the community. Students who participate in fund raising and perform humane education skits receive community service hours for their time. 

The Arizona Humane Society recognized HEC as Humane Heroes and bestowed an award for its dedication to animal welfare.  The Deer Valley Unified School District recognized HEC with a certificate of achievement which was given to Benyk and club members at a school board meeting.  Benyk had an article published about HEC in the monthly Communiqué of the National Association of School Psychologists.  HEC has been on local channel 3 TV twice. Our first feature was in 2000 and filmed a humane education skit at an elementary school. The second was August of 2002, when Benyk and club President, Brandi Jacques discussed HEC on “Pets on Parade”.

For more information: Visit HEC’s Web site at www.webspawner.com/users/benyk/ or email Ms. Benyk at gap1952@cox.net