People For Animal Rights was formed in 1982 in Syracuse, New York and continues its grassroots, all-volunteer work to protect animals and the Earth. We would like to send you our mission statement ("Animal Rights: A Natural Extension") and a sample of our newsletter. After receiving these, we hope you'll become a member.

Annual dues are $10 for individuals, $15 for families (2 or more people) and $100 for a life membership. The newsletter is included in dues. If you only want the newsletter, please send a donation of any amount. Dues and donations are tax-deductible.

Here's a sample of the information you'll find in our newsletter. Please subscribe for a donation of any amount or become a member of PAR and receive the newsletter as part of your membership dues.

COUNSELING FOR ANIMAL ABUSERS

by Linda A. DeStefano

Are you outraged and sad when you learn about abuse of animals? Do you wonder how the abuser's attitude and behavior can be changed so that he or she is no longer a threat to others? The Animals and Society Institute ( a newly merged organization of Society & Animals Forum and Institute for Animals in Society) believes that counseling specifically geared to abusers of animals can bring positive change. The people at Animals and Society Institute developed the "AniCare Treatment" and "AniCare Child" models and hold workshops to train therapists in their use. Both models are cognitive-behavioral based, emphasize empathy, self-management, and problem-solving. "AniCare" addresses accountability as critical to changed behavior.

Judges in 27 states can sentence abusers of animals to mental health counseling, and California and Iowa mandate such counseling. There is a need for trained counselors so Animals and Society Institute is trying to increase the number of certified trainers, who can then train more counselors. If you want to know more, contact Mary Ann Lauffer at
malauffer@psyeta.org or at (724)861-5520 or Ken Shapiro at kshapiro@societyandanimalsforum.org or write to Animals and Society Institute at 403 McCauley St., Washington Grove, MD 20880. Visit their website at www.societyandanimalsforum.org

(article from Fall/Winter 2005/2006 PAR newsletter)