Here’s what NIFAA training graduates and friends of NIFAA have to say:

" Hearing Julie Lewin at the Humane Society's Taking Action for Animals Conference last year and the Farm Sanctuary Hoe Down last month has forever changed the way we in Northeast Ohio pursue animal activism. We are bringing Julie here to do a training workshop this fall. We no longer feel weak and outnumbered, but rather empowered to use the political process the way it was meant, the way all other major lobbying groups that shape politics do, by lobbying, electioneering, and forming voting blocs that endorse political candidates and reward or punish lawmakers on Election Day by delivering or denying them votes at the polls. After all, most everyone is an animal lover and so a potential member of a voting bloc for animals, and it's time our voices were heard and respected. I hope Julie's message resounds throughout the animal rights world."
Shane Michael Guy, Director, League of Humane Voters of Northeast Ohio

" Because of Julie's presentation at Farm Sanctuary, we have a new vision of what we can accomplish for animals. We had become discouraged and disheartened, fighting for animals in the same tired way that wasn't producing results. Julie, you have given us a bright ray of hope! We are so excited that you are coming to speak to our group in October to teach us to be political activists. We're so grateful for this chance to learn how to be effective advocates for the voiceless. See you soon!"
Aimee Lacasse & Barbara Keith,
HAFA, Humane Action For Animals, Harrisburg PA

"It was amazing. We all need this."
Margaret T. Wright, creator and publisher, Nature's Corner magazine,
who flew from Phoenix to NIFAA's CT office for a private training June 24-25.

"NIFAA’s approach is exactly right. Power in the lawmaking arena comes from the leverage of political endorsements. Make sure you tell them that it takes very few people."
Eric Sten, City Commissioner Portland, Oregon;
former grassroots political organizer

"Julie Lewin has important information that will benefit anyone serious about making changes in animal laws and welfare. If there is any way you or your organization can take advantage of her invaluable experience, you will find yourselves further ahead in countless ways."
Heidi Pollyea, Dogs Deserve Better Representative, Atlanta, GA,
achieved anti-dog chaining ordinance in DeKalb County

"... The course is essential for individuals and for animal rescue and animal rights groups of any size, truly wonderful. I look back over my 20 years of activism, and it's a shock to find out how little I really knew." Nina Jones, graphics designer, Colchester, CT

"Thanks to Julie's NIFAA training, New Jersey's animals will have powerful and effective activists. Julie introduced us to a new and powerful strategy for influence when she guided us towards political organizations for animals. We quickly realized that not to fight animal rights politically was a waste of time, energy and resources. We profusely thank Julie for her wisdom, experience and guidance!" Janet Piszar, Millburn, NJ

"No serious activist should consider attendance optional. It explains why an anti-animal agenda of a small minority of Americans has determined a large percentage of our laws, and teaches how we can reverse this. If you can't attend a national NIFAA, host one." Mary Prewitt, Esq., Animal Outreach of Kansas

"Having had a NIFAA training, I urge everyone who wants to win strong laws or local ordinances for animals to take one too. It really gave me a better understanding of the steps needed to be taken seriously by lawmakers." Tammy Grimes, President, Dogs Deserve Better

"Finally there is NIFAA to fill a dangerous void in the animal protection movement. It taught me a great deal that I will use immediately. I'm completely sold on NIFAA and have become committed to doing all I can to help it advance." Paul A. Ernest, Esq., legal analyst, Charlottesville, VA

"I began using the course immediately in the campus animal rights group I run. It gave me the knowledge and skills to contextualize and shape my activism to be more effective. I hope to bring a NIFAA here." Sara Walker, student, Connecticut College, New London, CT

"...nothing less than a life-altering experience. In two days NIFAA completely changed how I advocate for animals and my life's plan. I regret it wasn't there for me when I was starting out--so much time wasted and the animals have paid the price. I hope NIFAA will have a profound and far-reaching impact on the animal rights movement." Mark Gross, activist, Seattle, WA

"...the highest quality instruction of any of the many animal advocacy conferences I've attended. I recommend NIFAA in the strongest terms possible. Already it has had much impact on how I go about working for animals, and I expect as my thoughts about it mature, its impact upon me will grow." Bob Leonard, Vice President, Delaware Action for Animals;
Legislative Subcommittee, Delaware Domestic Animal Coalition

"Julie...I cannot thank you enough for opening my eyes with your training. I've been discouraged recently by the lack of actual 'how to' training for activists in this movement. The conferences I attend are almost always purely issue presentation, which has been frustrating for me- to hear the same issues over and over again with no new solutions... no express, practical way to the address the problems. Your explanation of the political dynamics that influence lawmakers at every level of government, the need for an accountability system at all levels of government between individual lawmaker and his or her own constituents, the steps to creating voting blocs, how to understand the life and journey of a bill and how to use the accountability system to get bills and ordinances for animals enacted, and the encouraging fact that politically organized minorities hold the balance of power really gave me a renewed sense of direction and optimism. If NIFAA gains the visibility it deserves, I have no doubt that it could be the catalyst that generates more change in a matter of years than the current movement has been able to bring about in decades. I imagine the day when people will study the course this movement took, as with all other great historical changes, and will say that it wasn't until we organized politically that anyone took us seriously- that it wasn't until we passed laws that animals had any true refuge. So thank you again- I'd make the trip from Connecticut to Las Vegas again in a heartbeat for your training." Kate Capecelatro, activist

"I am without limit of things to say about you, and what you have accomplished for us here in North Carolina. I live a little more than two hours from Raleigh and I must tell you, after the training course I was on the phone before I got back to my hotel Saturday night. I couldn’t wait to return home to start. By Monday midday, I had made contact with five surrounding counties. We are now all infected with the political bug and see that it is essential and possible." Michelle Crisp, PAWSitive Support, Wilmington, NC

"Julie Lewin is an energetic and powerful speaker. She presents a thoughtful, clear and encouraging approach for anyone to politically organize and make social change." Mae Saetung, law student, Costa Mesa, CA

"NIFAA opened my eyes to the dynamics of power in legislative chambers, the world of lobbyists, and why there is no substitute for a politically organized grassroots. I now have the savvy and the tools to implement a system that will allow people concerned for the welfare of animals to effect significant change." Debbie Hirst, investment banker, founder,
Center of Animal Birth Planning, Sao Paulo, Brazil

"We asked the county commissioners for a spay-neuter ordinance. They pretended to be supportive, but time went on and nothing happened. So we brought Julie Lewin to give us a NIFAA training. By incorporating her instruction, we won our ordinance. The commissioners voted for it unanimously!" Susan Krisko, assistant district attorney;
board member, Las Vegas Valley Humane Society

"Julie's power workshop "Become Political for Animals and Win the Laws of Their Dreams" was great! I came away with a clear understanding of the importance and need to create voting blocs in order to be successful in advocating for animals. Anyone interested in elevating the primitive status of animal laws and ordinances, and establishing ones that are in harmony with the needs and evolution of animals today, should take a course with Julie. I can't wait to read her book." Christine Agro, founder, Healing Dog; Editor in Chief,
"Speak, A Natural Voice For Dogs", Brooklyn, NY

"Not only did I learn the ins and outs of how government works, but I learned how incredibly important even a small number of votes can be in any given election... I learned that grassroots political organizations that endorse candidates always win over corporate money in the lawmaking arena (in this case, money doesn't talk... at least it doesn't talk as loudly)... and I learned that elected officials can be held accountable to us...so recruit, recruit, recruit to voting blocs for animals! I "unlearned" using the merits of a heartfelt cause to get legislators to vote for humane legislation... it's all about re-election! Overall, this workshop gave me a great foundation to increase not only my level of activism, but my fundamental understanding of how activism will or will not have an impact. Maintaining control of the lawmaking process through voting blocs is a great way to get the results that we - and the animals - dream of." Joelle Coretti, Milford, CT

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