Michael Vick Takes Empathy Training at PETA

Posted on October 3, 2007
Filed Under Minor Developments |

For the first time in months, I have heard of a development in the Michael Vick case that is almost redeeming.  Let me preface this by stating that I am not affiliated with PETA and do not agree with many of their positions and especially not with some of their tactics.  Regardless, Michael Vick went to PETA for Animal sensitivity training according to an email I received from PETA yesterday.

DogFollowing news of his guilty plea, I contacted Michael Vick suggesting that he hear—for the first time in his life, he confirmed—about animal protection issues, learn how animals feel joy and pain and deserve respect, and receive specific instruction on what to say to young people whom he has influenced in the worst possible ways.
In mid-September, Michael Vick visited PETA’s headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, to meet with me privately. I told him that PETA advocates an end to all exploitation and needless violence based on prejudice, including the prejudice against other species, and that we believe that he should equip himself with information and materials in order to be able to live up to his responsibility to counsel children not to engage in cruelty to animals. He expressed his willingness to learn and his belief that everything in life happens for a reason, and he offered an apology to PETA and to “everyone” for “what I have done to dogs.” I also explained that even if he took our basic empathy course, our position that he should serve jail time and have a lifetime ban on contact with animals would nevertheless remain unchanged, and he accepted that.
Two weeks ago, Michael Vick returned to PETA to take the “Developing Empathy for Animals” course, an all-day seminar on “who animals are,” alternatives to cruelty, animal protection philosophy, and humane education, which PETA has now excerpted online. We believe that this course should be adopted by the NFL for all players to take in order to give them a chance to learn empathy, compassion, and nonviolence. Two days after the seminar, Vick came back to PETA’s office to take the course exam.
PETA’s course teaches the Golden Rule—treat others as you wish to be treated. Only time will tell whether Michael Vick has benefited from what he has learned, but he has pledged to use this knowledge to urge kids not to follow in his footsteps and to be kind to animals. Meanwhile, we are urging the NFL to take the important step of requiring that every player do what Michael Vick has done and take the course in order to help prevent future acts of violence against animals and to equip players with information about respecting animals that they can share with their young fans.
Although the Vick story served as the first glimpse for many people into the gory details of dogfighting, the abuses detailed in Vick’s indictment are as widespread as they are horrific. In the last year alone, PETA has responded to more than 14,000 calls and e-mail messages regarding other dogfighting and individual cruelty-to-animals cases. The crucial step now is to urge policymakers and law enforcement officers to treat all cases of dogfighting and cruelty to animals the same way that they handled Vick’s high-profile case. To that end, please join PETA and ask the NFL to require that all its players, some of whom have been involved in a series of cruelty-to-animals cases, attend PETA’s “Developing Empathy for Animals” course.
Thank you for helping us do all that we can to make the world a better place for animals.
Yours truly,
Ingrid<br /> Newkirk
Ingrid E. Newkirk
President

Now, I do not think that it is entirely necessary for every player within the NFL to attend PETA empathy courses.  I do think it might be useful for the NFL commissioner to do so such that he can construct an in house course to provide to NFL players, like the sexual harassment or slips, trips and falls lectures that take place in many corporate atmospheres.

Regardless, from Michael Vick’s standpoint, I view this (not judging, just my view) as one of the more redeeming things that Vick has done to date.  The skeptic in me suspects that he is possibly grasping at straws trying to do anything he can to salvage his career, but one part of me, the guy that used to be a Michael Vick fan, the guy who taught his four year old about football watching Vick play, that guy wants this to be a step towards self improvement.

I still do not want to see Michael Vick play football again.  That desire is based on the actions that Vick took in the past, and has little to do with what he does now or in the future.  I would like to see Vick finally learn some life lessons that allow him to realize some potential that could do himself and the world something positive.  In that regard, I wish him all the success in the world, just not in the NFL.

Michael Vick go and reinvent yourself.  Your potential does not have to be tied to playing football  If you believe that the only thing that you are and can ever be is a football player, then you have bought  sycophantic lie that is probably more damaging than the destruction that you caused or allowed to happen.  It takes real courage to be the person you are as opposed to the person that everyone says you are, its the difference between being a leader and a follower.

Go figure out who you are and realize your potential.

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Comments

3 Responses to “Michael Vick Takes Empathy Training at PETA”

  1. Laura on October 4th, 2007 2:20 pm

    It’s interesting to note that PETA has flown its logo at every conceivable opportity throughout this whole Vick debacle. The PETA cash register is jingling with donations to “help the dogs” and yet the organization has neglected to clarify it’s position in favor of wiping the pit bull breed off the face of the planet.

    I’m not making this up. PETA is the only major “humane” organization that supports breed specific legislation (i.e. banning pit bulls).

    If that’s the way they feel about it, fine. It’s a stupid, inhumane position, but it’s a free country.

    What really gets my knickers in a twist is the fact that they are making money hand over fist by pimping these dogs - dogs that they would just as cheerfully turn around and euthanize.

    As far as I’m concerned, PETA is just one more on the long, long list of those who exploit these dogs for their own personal gain.

    Sorry Ingrid. No donations for you from this pit bull owner.

  2. Laurie on October 4th, 2007 3:12 pm

    I am GALD that someone said that!!
    I agree %100
    Come on man…havent these dogs been exploited enough?

    These dogs are dammed if they do and dammed if they dont, and exploited everystep of the way…I swear PETA and others who NORMALLY are AGAINST this breed would even find a way to exploit them even if they became extinct…I can see it Now…PETA presents: The Pitbull HISTORY Museum…you know the place you can go to see paper mache dogs sitting curled up by their families by a warm fire…with a sign that says…a great “PAST” FAMILY Hero..Please DONATE to keep their MEMORY alive…No thanks…No Donations from this Pit bull owner either, you can kiss my Butt.

    One minute you want to Kill these Dogs then the Next you want to pitch some Glamourized campaign to a high profile person….what about the common everyday person in any city and any town that is involved in exploting these dogs Ingrid? have you put in a call to them as well?

  3. E-man on October 4th, 2007 7:47 pm

    FIRST, he found Jesus… THEN he found Ingrid Newkirk.

    Which is more pathetic?

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