| A new children's book, Let's Go Visit Best | | | | Let's Go Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary |
| Friends Animal Sanctuary, has been selected | | | | was specifically designed to be read aloud in |
| to be used in a teen mentoring program for | | | | home, library, or classroom settings and to |
| Safe, Humane Chicago. | | | | encourage conversation with children about |
| | | | kindness to animals and responsible pet |
| In 2007 Chicago community leaders, city | | | | ownership. Kelsey's books will be distributed |
| officials, local police and members of the | | | | to teen mentors in a Safe, Humane Chicago |
| faith based community joined with humane and | | | | pilot program. The teenagers will be |
| animal related groups, to form Safe, Humane | | | | responsible for educating younger children |
| Chicago. This unique coalition's mission is | | | | about compassion and caring for animals. |
| to educate children about the consequences of | | | | |
| dog fighting, conduct animal education | | | | People are starting to recognize that the |
| programs for both adults and children, and | | | | issue of dog fighting is about preventing any |
| develop youth intervention programs, so kids | | | | acceptance of an atmosphere of violence in |
| will not become involved in this illegal | | | | our communities. You don't have to be a dog |
| activity. Their goal is also to teach an | | | | person to want a safe environment for you |
| alternative to violence. A Massachusetts SPCA | | | | family. Seventy percent of dog fighter's or |
| study concluded that those who attend dog | | | | other animal abuse offenders have also been |
| fights are five times more likely to commit | | | | arrested for violent crimes against people. |
| violent crimes against people. | | | | They are intertwined! Children are the key to |
| | | | breaking the cycle. |