Book excerpt: Teens live in an imperfect world where people judge each other on looks, popularity, bank accounts, or clothing styles-a world where people are not always treated fairly. But animals do not care about poor test scores or bad skin; they simply love unconditionally. Such devotion makes the human-animal bond so special. In Animals and Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide, author Gail Green illustrates various situations in which young adults become involved with animals, including providing foster care, pursuing career opportunities, or simply raising pets at home. Green shows how animals can enhance teens' lives and how teens can improve the welfare of animals that face abuse or live in shelters and wildlife preserves. Green discusses what is involved in the handling of service animals, such as dogs that provide physical assistance or horses that help with therapy. Animals and Teens also covers such basics as caring for animals and dealing with the loss of a pet. The voices in this book come from a large cross section of teens and young adults whose stories will resonate with anyone who loves animals. From helping with animal rescue to overcoming learning disabilities, these heartwarming experiences demonstrate how each of us can make a difference through the incredibly rewarding human-animal bond.