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| A Lifetime of Compassion
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This video, A Lifetime of Compassion, was created in 1995 as a tribute to the lifetime achievements of Mrs. Anna C. Briggs, who founded The National Humane Education Society in 1948. This video was created for and shown at her 95th birthday celebration. In the past 5 years, NHES has undergone many advances--all progressive--resulting in the creation of a more humane world. For example, NHES's humane education, spay and neuter, and hands-on animal care programs have seen major expansion. Additionally, significant structural renovations and building additions have occurred at NHES's adoption and lifetime care facilities, The Briggs Animal Adoption Center and Peace Plantation Animal Sanctuary. In the very near future, we intend to release an updated version of this video. Until that time, we would like to share this existing version with you. We hope you enjoy it. If, after viewing the video, you would like to help us carry on Mrs. Briggs' legacy of compassion, please consider donating today. | Anna Catherine Briggs
December 9, 1909 - February 15, 2011 |  With heavy hearts and the deepest of sadness, we must say goodbye to the greatest friend of animals we have ever known. On February 15, 2011, our founder, Anna Catherine Briggs, passed away peacefully at the age of 101. She dedicated her life to rescuing, caring for, and protecting animals in need. With her tireless work and dedication, Mrs. Briggs founded The National Humane Education Society, a leading animal welfare organization, which set the standards of care at The Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV, and Peace Plantation Animal Sanctuary in Walton, NY, both no-kill refuges for animals in need.
Born in 1909, Mrs. Briggs spent the majority of her childhood in St. Vincent's, an orphanage in Washington, DC. These early years imbued in her a sensitivity to the suffering of others that would stay with her throughout her life. As a young woman, she eagerly helped animals in any way possible. This led her to the Be Kind To Animals Rest Home (the Rest Home) outside of the U. S. Capitol.There she learned to rehabilitate mistreated animals, a skill that would soon be tested. At 15, Mrs. Briggs met Cy, a gentle German Shepherd who had been badly abused by his previous owner. With love and patience, she healed Cy physically and emotionally. Cy became the first of thousands of animals to be touched by Mrs. Briggs' kindness and gentle nature.  Also at the Rest Home, Mrs. Briggs met the love of her life, James P. Briggs. Mr. Briggs was running the sanctuary and taught Mrs. Briggs much about animal welfare. Mrs. Briggs called her husband "the kindest man I had ever met." Sadly, Mr. Briggs died in 1945. No to be deterred from her life-saving mission, Mrs. Briggs founded The National Humane Education Society (NHES) in 1948. Over the next 63 years, Mrs. Briggs oversaw the expansion of NHES as it became one of the country's foremost advocates for humane education with a premier animal sanctuary and a state-of-the-art adoption center. Along the road, she has been a recipient of numerous awards for her selfless work and lifelong trailblazing in the animal rescue field including Animal Humanitarian of the Year in 1983 from the Animal Protection Institute of America and the Give Life Award in 1994 from Living Free Animal Sanctuary.
Mrs. Briggs is survived by her daughter, Virginia, seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and the thousands of dear friends and animal lovers who have been inspired by her selfless giving and tireless work. We at NHES will keep Mrs. Briggs in our hearts as we continue her powerful and necessary work to better the treatment of animals across the country and around the world. We hope that you, too, will remember her accomplishments in the humane field and support NHES as we strive to advance her mission into the future.  "The final lesson of mankind's evolution may well be that animals are sacred and deserving of our protection." -Anna Catherine Briggs |
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