Advocate for Animal and Human Victims of Abuse
"Animal Safehouse Program": This program was conceptualized and created by former Humane Society of the United States staff member Janet Winikoff. "Animal Safehouse" was a pioneer program, one of only three in the nation in 1996. The program provides shelter for the companion animals belonging to victims of family violence who are seeking housing in domestic violence shelters. With Janet's blessing, in 1998, I expanded and developed this program by collaborating with various professionals, support services, law enforcement, the Domestic Violence Response Teams and partnered with the San Diego Family Justice Center. Today, there are hundreds of these programs nationwide.
In 2002 I received a DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD from the San Diego Domestic Violence Council. "For dedication in advocacy on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children."
The following are two of my great personal accomplishments:
"Canine Coach Kids": In 2003, I conceptualized, created and implemented the Canine Coach Kids program, teaming at-risk youth and homeless animals. Once a week for six weeks, at-risk youth and shelter dogs participated in positive motivation canine training classes side by side with members of the community and their dogs. The experience increased the adoptability of the shelter dogs and the kids experienced goal-setting, the power of the Human-Animal Bond, compassion and a sense of responsibility to others.
Special Thank You to Susan Robertson for your "Canine Coach Kids" partnership allowing the kids and shelter dogs to come to your dog training classes and above all, your love and kindness. Bless you Susan! And the kids, dogs and volunteers!!!
“Silent Companion”: In 2003, I conceptualized, created and implemented the "Silent Companion" animal silhouette project. I was well aware that companion animals are the overlooked and forgotten victims of domestic violence and often the batterer's first victim. I came up with the idea for the animal figures to serve as a powerful educational tool to remember animal victims of family violence and to bring awareness of the correlation between human violence and animal fatalities. Each figure is painted red and is a unique life size silhouette which represents a pet killed by a perpetrator of domestic violence and animal abuse. Each individual figure wears a collar and tag with the name of the pet (when available), a description of the pet, other family members, how the animal was killed and the outcome or conviction of the perpetrator.
I introduced the first "Silent Companion" figures to the county of San Diego and Nationally in 2003. The figures were displayed at the 2003 San Diego Family Violence Conference and numerous other family violence awareness events. My animal fatality "Silent Companion" silhouette project is the first of it's kind worldwide.
Since 1998, I had been the Director of San Diego's Animal Safehouse for pets of victims of domestic violence. In 2003, I served as chair on the Domestic Violence Shelter and Support Services Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council. I assisted in the compilation of information concerning the human fatality victims of domestic violence for the San Diego County Silent Witness Program Silhouette Project.
In 2003, I contacted the Assistant City Attorney, Gael Strack who graciously accepted the “Silent Companion” animal figures to be housed at the San Diego Family Justice Center and available for events including Family Violence Conventions, Candlelight Vigils and domestic violence awareness events.
Special thanks to all those who helped me with my "Silent Companion" project.
- Dawn Danielson - Director of the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services
- Gael Strack- San Diego City Attorney's Office Family Justice Center
- Casey Gwinn - (City Attorney) (Family Justice Center)
- Kimberly Pearce - Crime Victims Fund
- Alison Gianotto - President/Founder http://www.pet-abuse.com
- Rita Spiegel - Artist/Photographer http://www.ritaspiegel.com/
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- Peggy Rushford - Artist
Please contact me if you are interested in starting any of these programs or projects in your area.
vintageshowgirl@vintageshowgirl.com