Our logo represents the interconnected relationship between humans and animals when knowledge, kindness, and compassion guide our actions. A  child’s cupped hands provide a safe place for the dragonfly to land, take refuge, and relax its wings. Even though the child could over power such a delicate insect, the child acts with kindness and compassion, protecting its break in flight without trying to contain or trap it. 

 

Armed with knowledge and understanding the child chooses to support the needs of the dragon fly, because the child recognizes its importance, and is in turn, honored with the trust of the dragon fly. At Sweet Serenity Center for Humane Education Inc. it is our mission to instill these skills and the knowledge to all that attend our offerings. In this way, that we empower humans working  with all animals to use a cooperative force-free model when training animals, that builds trust instead of fear.

 

Symbolically a dragon fly represents change or rebirth. It also marks  success and happiness. This is the goal at Sweet Serenity Center, to realize the transformation of old thinking by using new methods that result in successful happy outcomes for both animals and humans.To some, a dragon fly also embodies a devine spiritual essence, another reason it is the perfect logo for Sweet Serenity Center.

 

Our Director, Rebecca Maurice fell in love with animals and animal husbandry a very young age. She was trained by experts in the field, and learned how to work with all animals using all the traditional and accepted practices. She found most of these methods used force to accomplish training goals and that was a truth that never meshed well with her personal feelings and ideals. Instead, Rebecca discovered a gentler way of training and dedicated herself to that practice. If you’ve ever seen a demo of Rebecca with her beautiful horse, Gwen, you can see the trust and respect Gwen has for Rebecca. Gwen follows every command asked of her without being forced. Gwen is a willing participant in achieving the goals Rebecca guides her through.  It is specifically these strategies and skills that Sweet Serenity Center wants to share with the public. 

 

In the same way that we are interconnected with all the living creatures on our planet, we are also connected to those who came before us and showed us another way. In Rebecca's case, there were many  wonderful people who supported her, but none more so than her cousin Melanie, and her mentor Laura Linda. There were the women who changed Rebecca's life for the better.

 

Melanie taught Rebecca to always be fiercely brave and live a big full life filled with kindness and compassion. Laura Linda saw something very special in Becky and took great pleasure watching her learning to grow. She told her she would do amazing things for animals, and that if she helped make others dreams come true, her own dreams would come to fruition.

 

Melanie passed away in her early 30's from cancer. When Becky called Laura to tell her about Melanie‘s passing, Laura assured her that Melanie was a martyr on earth for compassion and love, sent to teach us how to be better people. Laura Linda shared that we were supposed to learn from everything she taught us and take those lessons to share with the world. That heartfelt conversation with Laura ignited a fire in Becky to move forward and put those words into action. Sadly, Laura passed away peacefully in her sleep after those words, following Melanie's passing by only a few hours. Becky believes that because the two of them passed away on the same day, they left the world together, leaving her to continue their work.

 

For Becky the dragonfly represents the two angels that guide Becky on this journey to unite humans and animals. It is a mission to inspire people in our communities to stand together to protect the lives of animals by building trust and collaboration within those relationships. She believes that we can change the world for all creatures by changing the mindset of humans. Everyone who is a part of Sweet Serenity Center has learned that first-hand. All the staff and volunteers are willing and ready to support you in your individual journey as you learn about this practice of human education.