Legal Studies Academy Senior Project Proposal

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Violence

By: Isabel A. Martinez

 A. Summary
I have chosen to research the psychological link between animal abuse and violence. I

myself am an animal lover, which is partially why this topic caught my attention. I also have an

interest in psychology, especially pertaining to criminal psychology. I also care about others and

enjoy helping people. This topic gives me the opportunity to not only gain a deeper

understanding as to why the connection between animal abuse and violence is common, but also

try to make the community aware of it to potential prevent animal abuse and domestic violence.

In order to further guide my research and project, my driving questions will be as

follows:

● What are the laws for animal abuse and domestic violence in Virginia and

throughout the United States?

● What kind of laws are established in other countries that pertain to animal abuse

and domestic violence?

● Are there organizations that will help not only the people who have been affected

by animal abuse, but their pets as well?

● What are the different types of ways to prevent both people and animals from

being harmed by looking into the psychological connection?

I plan to host an event at the Red Wing dog park; however, I am willing to consider other

options, such as a local pet store. At the event I plan to have poster boards and to give a

presentation about the psychological connection between animal abuse and violence. I plan to

have handmade purple leashes, which is a symbol for domestic violence awareness, for people to

buy. I am also planning on having interactive activities as well. An activity that I will have the

audience participate in is referred to the Balloon Magic Trick. The Balloon Magic Trick is an
activity that deals with developmental psychology. I will use this activity demonstrate how

animal abuse and violence are connected psychologically. Another activity I plan on having

available to the audience is a competition. The competition will be composed of a list of tasks for

the pet and owner to complete, such as having them run through an obstacle course and retrieve

objects. The winner of the competition will receive a purple leash. After the competition is over,

I plan on explaining how doing the activity connects them more with their pet creating a bond

that domestic victims have with their pets. My goal for the project is to inform people of the

connection between animal abuse and violence, which starts with the psychological effect animal

abuse has on children and young adults. In order to determine whether or not my goal was met, I

plan on conducting a survey at the end of my project. The survey will contain questions, such as

what they learned. My project will occur during the second semester of the 2019-2020 school

year. My consultant who will be assisting me with my project is Mr. Gary Hodges.

B. New Skills, Enhanced Skills, and Areas of Growth

New Skills

● Promoting and advertising

● Creating interactive activities

● Creating leashes

Enhanced Skills

● Researching

● Creating a presentation

Areas of Growth

● Organization
 ● Self Advocacy

● Public Speaking

C. Marketing Plan/Audience

I will use the Red Wing dog park for my project. I will advertise my project by using

word of mouth, posting fliers, and posting on social media. My target audience is Psychology

classes and Criminal Psychology classes who are learning information pertaining to my project. I

will contact the Psychological teacher and Criminal Psychology teacher at First Colonial to

discuss the potential of giving extra credit for attending my event. Since my topic is the link

between animal abuse and violence, students taking these classes would be interested in

attending my event, which presents an issue relating to the information they are learning in class.

D. Project Steps

Preliminary Steps Secure time and date for 5 hours

venue, create presentation
and posters, make leashes

Midway Steps Practice presentation, 5 hours

create competition course,
rehearse

Later Steps Practice run through, 7 hours

gather materials, setting up,
create fliers, create sign up
sheet for teachers giving
extra credit

Follow Up Cleaning up, analyze data 3 hours

from the survey

Total 20 hours
E. Project Documentation

● Screenshots of email messages concerning project

● Receipts from purchases

● Poster boards

● Fliers from advertising

● Screenshots of posts on social media pertaining to the project

● Photos of the event

F. Project Justification

This project will be beneficial because it will inform the community of the seriousness of

animal abuse. Animal abuse is about more than just protecting and helping the animals; it

is also about protecting and aiding the people in our community. I am not very informed

on this topic; therefore, it will be challenging to find reliable sources and information.

The project will be challenging for me because I have never created a flier nor have I

created a competition before. Another way this project will prove to be challenging for

me is because I have never made a leash before. However, presenting and holding the

event will allow me to grow and progress in my public speaking and organization skills.

G. Project-Paper Connection

My paper will be composed of research that will answer my driving questions. The paper

will include how animal abuse is linked to violence, the psychological impact animal

abuse has on children, the different types of violence associated with animal abuse, the

different animal cruelty laws, and how animal abuse is handled in other states and

countries. The paper will also contain all of the information needed for the presentation
 and poster boards for the event. The event will not only provide the information gathered

from the paper, but also interactive activities relating to the topic for the audience.

H. Academic Honesty

I understand that any academic dishonesty by me on any part of the project/paper will

result in failure of the Senior Project and forfeiture of the Legal Studies Seal on my High

School diploma.