Rattamuffin

Joann brings Bandit to school periodically. "He loves the kids and they love him," she said. Four years ago, when her school changed principals, hiring Michael Ryan, who is an avowed animal lover, Liuzzo approached him about starting an annual "humane education day." He jumped at the idea and offered to fund it. Again, the right person came along at the right time in Liuzzo's crusade for animals. Earlier this month, the annual event attracted four rescue groups, each one given a half-hour. These were not your ordinary rescue groups. For starters, "We had Rattamuffin, who rescue pet rats, Just Kidding, a goat club, Somerset Regional Shelter, which brought Cocoa, a coonhound, and Sayreville brought Happy, a pit bull." She has found her students "totally focused and fascinated. Everyone wants to touch and pet. We even had a snake." Liuzzo's goal goes beyond the educational aspect. "If we can make one kid kinder, we have done something. I'm very proud of this program and hope other schools follow suit," she said and she's not just kidding.

...a second chance