ANDOVER — A group of children watched closely as Karen Smith demonstrated how to approach an unfamiliar dog, walking up slowly and curving to the right just before she reached a large, furry Akita.

The dog greeted her with a nuzzle and audience members lined up to get their turns at practicing "pet etiquette."

"I wouldn't walk right up to a dog. That's rude," Smith advised. "You walk up and curve like dogs do. And don't pet them on the head. They like the side of the face and chest. ... They prefer you don't hug them. They feel trapped. They prefer a tummy scratch."

More than 50 children got their first lessons in respecting and understanding animals yesterday as the Massachusetts School of Law hosted its second annual Animal Rights Day.

While pet trick, police dog and agility demonstrations were geared more toward the children, the event also featured discussions on the prosecution of animal cruelty, no-kill shelters, the practice of animal law, the rescue of a pit bull and animals as property for adults.

About 300 people and several bassett hounds, poodles, bull dogs and border collies traveled from all over New England to attend the one-of-a-kind event.

The law school started hosting the symposiums after professor Diane Sullivan of North Andover started a popular animal law program at the school.

"She's become nationally known," school spokesman Kirby Smith said. "Programs like this are a part of how she is educating people."

Sullivan also used yesterday's symposium as a release party for the school's new book, "Please, Can We Keep the Donkey? A Collection of Animal Stories," which offers first-hand accounts of animal rescue and adoption written by students and staff.

All proceeds from sales of the book go to the Shadow Fund, which helps financially strapped residents pay for veterinary treatment for their pets. The fund was initially set up three years ago for Shadow, a 5-year-old yellow lab rescued by Lawrence resident Robert Burke, a Vietnam veteran unable to pay for a surgery Shadow needed.

The school gave its Humane-itarian Award to 13-year-old Amanda MacDonald of Andover, who spent the past year collecting signatures for a ballot question that seeks to phase out greyhound racing in the state by 2010.

"I'm really excited," MacDonald said afterward. "I'm glad they agree with what I'm doing. It's great they have days like this so that people can learn more about animal rights."

MacDonald will continue collecting signatures this spring.

Copies of "Please, Can We Keep the Donkey?" can be purchased through the school's Web site, www.mslaw.edu, or by calling 978-681-0800.