No Dog Left Behind
Let me now propose full legal rights and social recognition for all animals. I propose equality before the law and equal status with the Earth’s human inhabitants. In particular, as a teacher, I am concerned with education rights for animals, and for the time being I can let others worry about voting rights, insurance, pension, marriage, same-sex marriage and inheritance rights, health care rights, legal protection rights, habeas corpus rights, etc. So I have devised my “No Dog Left Behind” policy. I think it is imperative that we pass legislation right away mandating free public education for animals and devise school programs for full integration of animals into the classroom, not separated from human students, and then integration into the job market after graduation. We need expert and detailed curricula pushing for appropriate, pan-species goals and skills development that address and meet the full range of learning styles, and professional teachers able to put them into practice. I mean, we must set goals and devise a road map to reach them. In addition, we need an evaluation system sympathetic to the strengths of all students while not stigmatizing any one group. We need animal health and nutrition experts in schools and administrators trained in policy and walking - walking theory as well as practical walking and advanced walking and feeding. We need mentors for animals to nurture their integration, adaptation and advancement in school and society. In the future I imagine animal representation in all the organs of society not only in the workforce: school boards, hospital and corporate boards, college faculties, city councils, eventually higher public offices as well, and even among the ordained clergy and the media. It represents a revolution in our world, but it is the right and green thing to do.