Doriane Lucia
There were so many instances when I was a young girl that shouted…”This girl needs to be a Humane Educator!” But humane education was not recognized back then, and programs were not readily available. Had there been such programs or a better understanding of what humane education is, I may have been guided on a path that would have empowered me and shown me that there were possible solutions to acts of cruelty against animals and people that only made me sad or frustrated. But my experience only makes me more passionate about reaching those kids who were once like me. Fortunately, while in fifth grade, I had one amazing teacher who recognized my love of animals and my inner strength. He encouraged me to become class president and the head of the fish tank committee (the only option in our classroom!) and encouraged me to openly discuss what pets I had at home and how they were cared for. I spearheaded human and animal rights campaigns and stood strong against those who bullied the underdogs in school.
I also carefully observed and was in awe of my father, who was a brilliant man. He devoured books each morning while drinking his coffee and watching the birds eat (whom he specifically attracted with feeders he built). He taught me how to be a responsible guardian to everything we had, from guinea pigs to Great Danes (education, especially college, was a must in our house). My father also showed me the depth that someone can feel for their pets, as he cried when our beloved dog had to be put down.
As a young adult, I did not know how to balance my sensitivity and compassion with the reality of school and life or how to constructively channel it. Since I no longer had my fifth grade teacher or programs geared towards what I can now call humane education, I took to hanging out with the cool kids and kept my true purpose and feelings closely guarded.
Fast forward to living in New York City as an adult and wanting to get a dog. My father always went to breeders, so naturally my first stop was the pet shop on 79th Street. This felt wrong to me, but I did not know why. I began to educate myself and became aware of the countless animals in shelters and rescue organizations. I found a woman, “M,” who rescued dogs in NYC. I went through the rigorous adoption process to get my first dog as an adult. As I learned more, I became angry, like “M,” at the suffering of so many dogs. My very loving ex said, “Doriane, please don’t become like “M”, the crazy dog lady.” That scared me, and I raced to the ASPCA to earn their certification in Humane Education. But I suspected that there was probably more beyond this title of humane educator besides compassion for companion animals. I became intrigued, and started to learn about factory farming, our environment, human rights issues...everything was connected and my humane education life began. I remember feeling like I had arrived home. I became a vegetarian immediately.
New doors could not open fast enough as I wanted to learn more. I was led to Zoe Weil and IHE. The depth of IHE's Humane Education Certificate Program was exactly what I was looking for, and the Master's degree was the only next logical step.
I still reflect upon how I managed to complete the Master’s degree, because I was working at a day job and rescuing animals on the side; it took lots of self-discipline. I could not be happier to have achieved that goal. It gave me a solid foundation for what I do; it gave me invaluable knowledge, communication skills, strength and courage.
I formed my own non-profit foundation, the Humane Nation Foundation, and have been fortunate to be able to create and conduct humane education lessons for at-risk youth. I also recently conducted a workshop for educators from around the world at the University of Connecticut’s Annual Confratute 2008 on Humane Education. And, a children’s book I wrote, The Story of Lilly and Lou, was recently published...other dreams have and continue to come true.
The biggest dream, though, is that it's clear who I am as a person and what I am supposed to do for animals and the kids who are like I once was (and others). I continue to feel blessed to be connected with IHE…especially to Zoe for paving the way for so many of us, and for her support and guidance. Even after graduating, IHE continues to be a network of loving, kind, super-intelligent, supportive people.
Watch and share IHE President, Zoe Weil's TEDx talk -- an inspiring vision of how to create a just, compassionate, healthy world for all through solutionary education.
Teaching for the 21st Century Humane Education Workshop
April 28, 2012 - 8:30 am to April 28, 2012 - 5:00 pm | Location: Nightingale-Bamford School
How can we best prepare our students for the important roles they must play in meeting the challenges of today's world? How can we help youth to become creative and critical thinkers who embody the qualities of wisdom, compassion, and integrity and who focus their grea...
Read More
April 28, 2012 - 8:30 am to April 28, 2012 - 5:00 pm | Location: Nightingale-Bamford School
How can we best prepare our students for the important roles they must play in meeting the challenges of today's world? How can we help youth to become creative and critical thinkers who embody the qualities of wisdom, compassion, and integrity and who focus their grea...
Read More