The Wayside Waifs Humane Education program delivers programs to over 30,000 students each year in the greater Kansas city area. Presentations are given at preschools, public and private elementary schools, libraries, churches and health and safety fairs.
If you would like to arrange for a Humane Educator to visit your school or organization, please contact Jo Dean Hearn, Humane Education Manager 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.
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. These programs challenge students and adults through innovative and thought provoking curricula. A certified companion animal will accompany volunteers or staff to each program.
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. Suitable for grades K-12. Approximately 1 hour in length.
This program teaches children how to care for a pet. Children take turns pulling items from a “pet’s suitcase”. Each pet care item is identified and discussed to help each student learn about the proper care of a pet. Suitable for grades K-12. Approximately1 hour in length.
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. Suitable for grades 2-6. Approximately 1 hour in length.
Groups experience an educational tour of the Wayside Waifs campus. From animal intake and rescue, to our state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center, the Adoption Center and adoptable pets, to a 5-acre Bark Park and Memorial Gardens, guests will experience all that Wayside Waifs has to offer. Suitable for all ages. Approximately 1 hour in length.
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 cap’ or ‘service dog in training’ in to meet with the children. Suitable for all ages. Approximately 1 hour in length.
This program works to prevent violence by 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 children to greater empathy for fellow human beings. Suitable for grades 3-5. Consists of five 1-hour programs.
Three program types:
"Pet Partners" provides reading practice opportunities for children in schools, libraries and other educational venues. This program's aim is to improve the children's literacy skills through reading aloud to a companion animal such as a dog, a cat or even a classroom pet. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Approximately 1 hour in length.
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. Suitable for all ages. Approximately 1 hour in length.
"Pet Share and Care" volunteers go into extended care facilities with their certified companion animal and read to/for residents. Suitable for all ages. Approximately 1 hour in length.
In case of tornado, flood, fire, hurricane or other types of natural or manmade 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 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. Community service hours may be added to complete individual, class or project requirements. Suitable for ages 7 and up. Approximately 1 hour in length.
This program provides exposure to the many career choices in the area of animal shelters and the animal care field. This program allows students a glimpse into shelter careers, including veterinarian, educator, computer specialist, public relations, human resources, animal care giver, accountant/controller, and many more. An age- appropriate presentation and discussion along with handouts will give exposure and information to help choose a career path. Students will be given an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each session. Suitable for ages 6 and up. Approximately 1 hour in length.
Each participating group will be given an educational tour of the shelter and will complete one hour of communicty service. The community service project will involve non-contact animal projects. Each participant will help with projects that will directly affect the quality of life and well-being of those animals at Wayside Waifs. Projects may vary depending upon shelter needs. Upon completion, participants will receive a Wayside Waifs Community Service Certificate indicating the number of hours served. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Hours vary depending on the project. (Note: if hours are aquired through a donation drive, the participant may receive multiple community service hours.)
