Kids Make a Difference article

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28 October 2014 Let’s Change Together • 1

Kids Make a Difference

A twelve-year-old boy did not like
how horses were being treated—
so he’s doing something about it.

BY KATIE SHARP, For Learning A–Z

How can kids make a difference? © Tammy Hardy
How can they help change laws?
Even though kids cannot vote, they can Declan Gregg, horse advocate
change the minds of those who can.
Take Declan Gregg of Greenland,
New Hampshire, for example. Like
many kids his age, Declan loves animals.
However, he has a special place in his
heart for horses. When he learned
about a horse being treated cruelly,
he decided to do something.

In 2011, when Declan was nine years drawings and went to Washington, D.C.
old, he took his message to the He delivered the letters to members
Internet. He wanted to spread the of Congress. Then he met with Frank
word about the mistreatment of horses. Guinta, a lawmaker from his home state.
He worked with the Million Horse Declan convinced Mr. Guinta to support
March, a group that also works to a new law that would stop the shipping,
protect horses from harm. Together, buying, or selling of horses to be killed
they asked children around the world for food. This new law, the American
to write letters to lawmakers to urge Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, was
them to help. never enacted though.

More than 1,000 children responded. In 2012, Declan made a second trip to
Declan collected their letters and Washington, D.C. This time he was there

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with Horses on the Hill. This organization Again, he won support for new laws

strives to protect horses. Declan spoke that protect horses from being harmed Let’s Change Together • 2

with more lawmakers about his cause. or killed. Through his continuing efforts,

In 2012, Declan won the Humane Kid of he hopes to someday see a federal law
the Year Award and the Junior Equine that prohibits the slaughter of horses.

Angel Award from the American Today Declan still gets his word out.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Through his blog, he shares information,

to Animals (ASPCA) for his efforts. He poetry, and children’s horse stories

also became an ASPCA Junior Equine and drawings. Readers from more

Welfare Ambassador, meaning he would than 110 countries follow Declan’s blog.

continue to help his four-legged friends. Declan speaks on radio shows, talks

These awards didn’t mean Declan’s to groups such as the Girl Scouts,
work was done. In 2013, he went and films videos.

to Washington, D.C., again. This Declan works hard to help horses.

time he met with celebrities and He proves that people who make

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, of a difference can be any age.

New Hampshire, to talk about his work.

© Phil Sandlin/AP Images

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