An American pioneer of animal welfare whose own story of survival inspired campaigns to adopt millions of homeless animals across the world will be the star draw at a conference on compassion organised by an East Lothian charity.
Mike Arms dedicated his life to protecting animals after he was brutally attacked while trying to help an injured dog more than 50 years ago in his homeland.
Since then he has led international adoption campaigns and appeals as well as overseeing education programmes to help teach children compassion towards all creatures and tackle cruelty at its root.
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Now he has agreed to be the key speaker at Fostering Compassion's two-day conference in October, even covering the cost of travelling from his base in Santa Fe himself to take part in the event.
The two-day conference, which is being held at Edinburgh's Dick Vet School in conjunction with the school, will bring together charities and organisations involved in animal welfare, education and children.
Fostering Compassion which was set up in 2013 by Tranent woman Lesley Winton BEM, runs workshops at its Ormiston base and in schools to help children and young people tap into their empathy and emotions by talking about the experiences of rescue animals and relating it to how they feel.
The work has proved extremely successful in helping children identified as struggling with behaviour or emotional issues.
Lesley, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to Animal Welfare, said she was thrilled Mike is flying to Scotland to lead the conference where he will give the keynote speech on Compassionate Education.
She said: "The conference is a big event for us as it marks Fostering Compassion's 10th year of working with children and animals and bring a lot of our supporters and partners together.
"I am very excited to welcome Mike to the conference and hear what he has to say."
Mike Arms, president of the Helen Woodward Center for Animal Welfare, Santa Fe, California, was working for the American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals when he had a life changing experience in the Sixties.
He was sent to help a dog which had been hit by a car and when he went to lift it from the road was confronted by a group of men who had placed bets on how long it would take to die.
The men beat and stabbed Mike as he tried to help the dog leaving him lying on the road, where the dog crawled to him licking his face.
Mike said he had an epiphany asking God: “Let me live, and I promise you, I will do everything in my lifetime to protect them.”
He has dedicated his life to the cause ever since.
The conference where he will appear takes place on October 6 and October 7 this year.
Information about how to get involved and book tickets is available through contacting Lesley at Fostering Compassion's website www.fosteringcompassion.org.
The charity is currently fundraising to ensure it can continue its work with a campaign to raise £20,023 by November this year when it will mark its 10th anniversary of providing support.
Ways to support the charity campaign to raise funds, including signing up for a small direct debit or buying a doggy bandana can also be found on its website.
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