Today, Valent leads diversity efforts for the Midwest Region's Audit and Enterprise Risk Services practice and with 'Stinky the Bulldog,' is working to teach children and adults the value of accepting others who are different than them in Wisconsin and throughout the United States.

"This book was deliberately written at a level at which children cannot read it themselves; they require an adult to either read it to them or help them with some of the words," Valent said. "My reasoning is that adults are the primary inspiration for this book. Unfortunately, pre-judgments still exist. The goal of 'Stinky the Bulldog' is to teach children that there is no value in judging others based on their looks, names and color, and to remind adults of that message as well."

Through her 18 years as a professional of human resources, Valent has witnessed peoples' perceptions change, but she admits that it takes time. It is her goal, with Stinky at her side, to allow people to see one another as equals. She says that when adults and children meet Stinky, their feelings about his name change. Valent realizes that it takes more effort for conditioned adults to change their ways, but when these people walk in others' proverbial shoes or are influenced by children, she believes it can be done.