Humane Education

Circle of Friends Education

Studies show there is a strong relationship between a child’s awareness of the proper way to treat animals and that child’s ability as an adult to relate humanely not only to animals, but to society as a whole. The Circle of Friends Humane Education Program incorporates the expertise of professional educators, psychologists and animal behaviorists. The program challenges students and teachers to examine and renew their relationships with animals through interactive activities such as games, problem-solving stories and thought-provoking videos.

Pet Safety
Children learn the correct way to meet a dog, when to leave a dog alone and what to do if attacked by a dog.  The program helps them understand what dogs communicate through body language so that the child can avoid a possible dog attack. Approx.-1 hour in length. Suitable for grades K-12.

Pet Suitcase
This lesson teaches children how to care for a pet.  Children take turns pulling items from a “pet’s suitcase” and identifying them.  The presenter will demonstrate the importance of each item.  Approx.-1 hour in length. Suitable for grades K-12.

Paws, Claws, Feathers and Fins
This program educates children on the responsibilities of owning different types of pets while following one young girl and her family through the process of adopting a dog.  Approx.-1 hour in length. Suitable for grades 3-6.

Educational Tours of Wayside Waifs
Groups receive an informational/educational tour of the Wayside Waifs facility and interaction with the adoptable animals.  Approx.-1 hour in length. Suitable for grades 4-Adult.

Service Dogs in Action
This program introduces service dogs to children.  Children will learn the multiple uses for service dogs by the handicapped.  They will also learn how a dog is trained from puppy to an active working service dog.  The volunteers will bring their ‘puppy in cape’ or ‘service dog in training’ in to meet with the children.  Approx.-1 hour in length. Suitable for all ages.

NO More Bullies
This program works to prevent violence through teaching children the humane education principles of compassion, responsibility, self control, integrity and respecting the right of others, including pets.  Statistics prove that developing these principles in young people through the humane treatment of pets leads these children to greater empathy for fellow human beings thus making violence toward humans less likely. Consists of 5-1 hour programs. Suitable for grades 3-5.

Ready, Pet, READ!

This program offers two different programs.  The first provides reading practice opportunities for children in schools, libraries and other educational venues.  This program's aim is to improve children's literacy skills and through reading aloud to a companion animal such as a dog, a cat or even a classroom pet.

The "story time" program consists of a volunteer reading aloud to the children, allowing them to hear the sound and rhythm of written speech in an environment that models compassion and kindness through the presence of the volunteer's pet.  The animal models listening skills while the reading takes place.  Approx. 1 hour in length.

Ready, Pet, GO!

In case of tornado, flood, fire, hurricane or other types of disaster, learn how you and your pet will be able to evacuate safely and stay together as a family.  This program may also be used to help young people learn to serve their community by collecting items for the evacuation bags and packing those bags to be sent to the elderly or poor.  Teachers and leaders may easily spin off lessons in meteorology, geography, math and the sciences.  This program is approximately one hour in length.  Community service hours may be added to complete individual, class or project requirements.

Since 2003, Wayside Waifs has delivered humane education presentations to more than 75,000 children in the Kansas City area. Presentations are given at preschools, public and private elementary schools, libraries, churches, health and safety fairs, camps and in the Wayside Waifs community room.

If you would like to arrange for a humane educator to visit your school or organization, please contact Jo Dean Hearn, Humane Education Coordinator at (816) 761-8151 Ext. 4430, or email jdhearn@waysidewaifs.org If you prefer, you may fill out the Request a Humane Educator Form online.