Less than 3 percent of American youth are exposed to humane education in school, yet early empathy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong ethical leadership. Danielle Hanosh, a former teacher turned sanctuary founder, is determined to change that statistic.
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As co-founder of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) and Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary, Danielle is leading a nationwide shift in how kids learn about animals, compassion, and leadership, by turning sanctuaries into classrooms.
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Where Sanctuaries Become Safe Havens for Learning
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Danielle’s journey began in the classroom. As a middle school teacher, she noticed that students facing adversity often had a strong, intuitive bond with animals. This insight, combined with her
own awakening after watching documentaries on factory farming, planted the seeds for Blackberry Creek Sanctuary in Northern California.
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The goal was simple but powerful: rescue animals and create a healing space where students could grow alongside them.
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Why LEAP Is the Compassionate Alternative to 4-H and FFA
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It didn’t take long for Danielle to realize that while many students loved being around animals, traditional programs like 4-H and FFA often required them to raise animals for slaughter. So she co-founded LEAP, a fully vegan humane education program that preserves the leadership elements of 4-H while removing the exploitation.
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LEAP teaches students the value of autonomy, respect, and nonviolence. Partner sanctuaries provide hands-on experiences that empower kids to become changemakers without compromising their compassion.
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Shaping Ethical Leaders, One Student at a Time
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Each LEAP session includes lessons on public speaking, critical thinking, climate impact, animal law, and ethical food choices. At the end of the year, students present what they’ve learned during a community celebration called Friends and Family Day. One student, once selectively mute, gave a public tour of the sanctuary after a year in LEAP.
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Danielle says these moments are proof that empathy is not a weakness. It’s a strength, and a skill that can be taught.
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Kids Learn to Question, Speak Out, and Take Action
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LEAP isn’t about preaching. It’s about presenting facts and letting students decide for themselves. From animal agriculture’s impact on climate change to its effects on human labor rights and global food systems, the program encourages students to develop a personal code of ethics.
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Many go on to advocate for plant-based milk options in schools, lead plant-based food drives, and even lobby for animal protection policies. As Danielle explains, “We’re not just raising awareness. We’re raising leaders.”
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A Network of Sanctuaries with One Common Goal
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LEAP currently partners with sanctuaries across 12 states, and counting. Applications are open for new sanctuaries to join the movement. Each sanctuary receives training, curriculum, lunch stipends, and full support at no cost. Requirements include a commitment to vegan values and the ability to host students in a safe, inclusive environment.
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Sanctuaries that want to become a LEAP hub can apply at leapforanimals.org.
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Making Empathy Accessible to Every Student
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Not every community has a sanctuary, so LEAP is working on bringing the curriculum into classrooms through virtual field trips and educator toolkits. The goal is to make humane education as
common as physical education, accessible, engaging, and life-changing.
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Danielle believes the future is about connection. “We’re in a mental health crisis, an empathy crisis, and a climate crisis,” she said. “This program offers healing, for students and animals alike.”
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Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[03:00] How it started for Danielle Hanosh.
[06:00] Defining a better life for animals.
[08:00] Various ways for youth to help animals.
[12:30] The LEAP program is changing lives.
[15:00] LEAP skills translate into real life abilities.
[19:00] Diverse skills from leadership are needed for LEAP to succeed.
[22:00] Solutions reside in meeting people where they are at.
[26:15] How sanctuaries can benefit from LEAP’s involvement.
[30:15] Creative fundraising ideas.
[34:00] Vision for LEAP.
[36:00] The best way to help animals is to…
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About Danielle Hanosh
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Danielle Hanosh is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of LEAP, Co-Founder of Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary in Northern California, and also serves on the board of the wildlife conservation NGO, Women for Wolves. With a teaching credential, MA in Education, a decade of experience as a public school teacher, and ten years of experience running a non-profit farm sanctuary, she is delighted to be using her unique background to ensure children and teenagers across the country have access to critical hands-on humane education and leadership development. She is also a professional ghostwriter, passionate storyteller and animal advocate, and the author of several children’s books about animals.
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https://leapforanimals.org/
https://www.blackberrycreek.org/
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Social media handles
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@leap4animals
@blackberrycreek
@_mother_of_chickens
https://www.facebook.com/leap4animals/
https://www.facebook.com/BlackberryCreekSanctuary
https://www.facebook.com/danielle.hanosh/
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About Cheryl Moss
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Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal
welfare leaders. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
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Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
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When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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https://www.facebook.com/BLFAnimals/
https://x.com/betterlife4anim
https://www.instagram.com/betterlife4animals/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmossabetterlifeforanimals/
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