As a child, I spent as much time outside as possible. Even at age 3, I was riding my tricycle down the sidewalks of Brooklyn, eager to meet all the dogs, birds, squirrels, and ants that shared our neighborhood. My parents told me I always ‘think animals’ – conversations that bore fruit decades later a book with the same name. Later, I realized that it was two things: I attributed intelligence and feelings to animals, and I was concerned about how to treat them. As a youth, my fascination with animals continued in the forests of Long Island. I could feel their emotions as I soaked in their dog, frog and fish. It was on these journeys into nature that I developed my empathy and compassion; It is natural to imagine the point of view of different animals. I think this is true for most children.
These youthful pursuits led me to become a field ethologist. Not only did I want to observe animals as one careerbut I also wanted to prove through research that what I knew when I was young was true—that nonhuman animals are sentient beings, aware, and experiencing inner lives of their own. Of course, we now know this for a very big reason research scope. But we didn’t do it then. And this knowledge should influence how we, as individuals and as a society, care for and treat animals.
This is the basis Love in Their Hearts: A Celebration of Animal Emotions and a Guide to Compassionate Actionwhich I co-wrote with young adult writer Jeff Campbell. Through science and stories, I want to inspire readers, especially young people, with the rich emotional lives of animals, show the importance of emotions for all beings, and inspire a compassionate desire to improve the lives of animals whenever we can. Animal feelings are important. Their feelings are absolutely important to them and they are important to us.
Emotional intelligence can save your life
Observing and respecting the feelings of animals makes us better emotional intelligence. It teaches us about what can happen inside every being – human and non-human. emotional reconnaissance is a basic life skill and is taught by many teachers. In fact, non-human animals are excellent teachers. Many animals are emotionally intelligent and show an incredible ability to read others. They also show great empathy.
For example, I will tell the story of Jethro, an adopted dog who has been with me for 23 years. Once, Jethro came to the front door with a creature in his mouth, only to have a very young, very wet rabbit out. I could not see any injuries. It was a small bundle of fur that was abandoned by mom and now needs care, food and love. Jethro, big-eyed and tall, looked up, proud of his compassionate personality, and called out with all his being: Come on, do something.
Within two weeks, we nursed Bunny (as I named him, very original) to health, and the entire time Jet was by his side. I was afraid that he would harm her, but he only protected her and took her as his friend. When we finally released Bunny, she hid in a log in the forest for an hour before jumping, and months later Jetro would return to the wood as if hoping to see his friend.
Another story embodies another lesson. Orca trainer John Hargrove once began training with Freya, the matriarch of killer whales at a marine life park. But Freya was angry—Hargrove could see it in her eyes and her demeanor—and she angrily trapped Hargrove in the center of the pool, threatened to punch and gag him, and held him underwater. Hargrove knew that even if Freya was just texting, he could easily drown before she could stop. Bathing from a distance can make it worse aggression. Instead, Hargrove lured Freya into a training exercise and then ran away.
Later, reflecting on Freya’s recent behavior, Hargrove realized that she felt disrespected. She had prioritized the other orcas in training, which she resented, and she knew that from then on she needed to treat her with the respect her rank demanded as a matriarch. After that, Hargrove and Freya trained amicably for many years without any angry episodes – because he understood and respected her feelings and point of view.
Jane Goodall’s Humanitarian Education and Influence: “Jane the Magician”
It is important to remember Jane Goodall’s tireless efforts to help all beings. He led a lifetime science, hope, humanity and peace. People around the world call Jain’s global influence “Jane Magee.” Before her death in October 2025, Jane Goodall wrote a foreword Love in their hearts. She was a dear friend and we wrote books together (including an upcoming children’s book). Every elephant has a namein 2027). In addition, I was and am an ambassador Roots and shootsJane’s Youth Action Program was founded in 1991. There are Roots and Shoots groups in 75 countries that teach children of all ages about animals, people and environmentand empower them to act in their communities.
