IMPORTANT NOTICE – Edmonton, AB (June 5, 2020)

In an effort to limit the transmission of COVID-19 and with our priority on keeping people and pets in our community healthy and safe, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has made the decision to cancel or place on hold until Fall 2020, all classes and courses. We will update the public when this changes.

Thank you for your understanding.

About Our Humane Education Offerings

Humane Education is great way to empower young people by engaging them with programs that cover not only animal care & protection, environmental preservation, and human rights, but also provides experiences that support their part in developing a healthy society. The Edmonton Humane Society offers a number of ways that teachers can get their students involved in Humane Education through age-appropriate presentations & field trips.

Prices: Range from $52.50 – $349 for programs and add-on’s are available for many programs.

We are pleased to offer these programs both on-site at the Edmonton Humane Society as well as at your school or facility, up to 70km from our location (additional travel fees are applicable). For detailed information and availability, and to book click on ‘Program Details & Booking‘ button below the program breakdowns.

For Educators we have created a comprehensive listing of our program offerings by grade, as well as a PDF for you to review that lists the programs and current Alberta curriculum connections. We believe that all children and youth deserve the opportunity for Humane Education programming.

Contact us for further information about subsidized programming to see if your school qualifies. This offer is subject to funds available.

See Curriculum Connections

Programs By Grade

  • Tails are Not for Pulling: Students will learn how to be “animal friends” through a story that covers how to interact appropriately with animals, as well as how to recognize signs when an animal wants to be left alone. The students will also engage in a short activity about animal safety and how to appropriately interact with a pet.
    • Themes covered: Empathy, Animal Safety, Animal Behaviour and Communication, Respect, Teasing, Compassion, Feelings & Interacting with Animals Appropriately.
  • Before You Were Mine: Students will be taken on a journey of what an animal’s life may have been like before being adopted. Students will engage in a cooperative activity at the end to identify basic needs of pets in our homes.
    • Themes covered: Empathy, Animal Safety, Animal Welfare, Human-Animal Bond, Animal Behaviour, Stray Animals, Animal Sheltering & Adoption, Basic Needs of Animals.
  • Hey Little Ant: Students will learn about empathy by reading a story where they take the perspective of an ant who may or may not be squished. Students will participate in a decision-making activity that will touch upon how all living things should be treated with tolerance and respect.
    • Themes covered: Empathy, Point of View, Perspective, Feelings, Compassion, Bullying, Problem-solving, Decision-making, Respect & Tolerance.

  • Who We Are, What We Do: Students will discover what an animal shelter is and all that goes into running an animal shelter. We will talk about different animals that have been at EHS and how students can help animals both at the shelter and in their community.
    • Themes covered: Mission, Vision & Values, History, Animals at EHS, People at EHS, Fund Development & How You Can Help.
  • Kind Kids: Students will learn the basic needs of all animals as well as the five freedoms of animal welfare. Students will be introduced to what responsible ownership is and apply their knowledge in a cooperative activity on the needs of companion animals.
    • Themes covered: Different types of pets, Basic Needs of Animals, Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, Responsible Pet Ownership & Enrichment.
  • Pet Space, Kid Safe: Students will be introduced to dog and cat body language to identify feelings and emotions of animals. We will address how to remain safe when interacting with animals and how to prevent bites from occurring.
    • Themes covered: Dog Body Language, Dog Bite Prevention, How to Appropriately Greet and Interact with a Dog, Cat Body Language & How to Appropriately Greet and Interact with a Cat.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Shelter Tour (Only Available On-site): Students will get a chance to go behind-the-scenes at EHS. Students will learn about what we do at Edmonton Humane Society, and how animals make their journey through our shelter and into their new homes.
    • Themes covered: Admitting, Medical Topics, Animal Behaviour, Enrichment, Animal Housing, Animal Care and Cleaning & Adoption.

  • Who We Are, What We Do:Students discover what an animal shelter is and all that goes into running an animal shelter. We will talk about different animals that have been at EHS and how students can help animals both in the shelter and in their community.
    • Themes covered: Mission, Vision and Values, History, Animals at EHS, People at EHS, Fund Development & How You Can Help.
  • Animal Adoption Challenge: Students will engage in a simulated adoption process. Students will identify the basic needs of pets, take into account considerations such as lifestyle and income, and use problem-solving and decision-making skills and currency handling to stay within their budget.
    • Themes covered: EHS’ Mission, Vision and Values, Animals at EHS, Fund Development, Basic Needs of Animal, Adoption, Problem-solving, Decision-making & Currency Handling.
  • Caring Companions: Students will learn the basic needs of all animals as well as the five freedoms of animal welfare. Students will be introduced to what responsible ownership is and apply their knowledge in a cooperative activity on the needs of companion animals.
    • Themes covered: Different types of pets, Basic Needs of Animals, Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, Responsible Pet Ownership & Enrichment.
  • Animal Aware: Keeping You & Your Animal Safe: Students will assess dog and cat body language to identify feelings and emotions of animals. We will address how to remain safe when interacting with animals and how to prevent accidents from occurring.
    • Themes covered: Dog Body Language, Dog Bite Prevention, How to Appropriately Greet and Interact with a Dog, Cat Body Language & How to Appropriately Greet and Interact with a Cat.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Shelter Tour (Only Available On-site): Students will get a chance to go behind-the-scenes at EHS. Students will learn about what we do at Edmonton Humane Society, and how animals make their journey through our shelter and into their new homes.
    • Themes covered: Admitting, Medical Topics, Animal Behaviour, Enrichment, Animal Housing, Animal Care and Cleaning & Adoption.

  • Who We Are, What We Do: Students will discover what an animal shelter is and all that goes into running an animal shelter. We will talk about different animals that have been at EHS and how students can help animals both in the shelter and in their community.
    • Themes covered: Mission, Vision and Values, History, Animals at EHS, People at EHS, Fund Development & How You Can Help.
  • Caring Companions: Students will learn the basic needs of all animals as well as the five freedoms of animal welfare. Students will be introduced to what responsible ownership is and apply their knowledge in a cooperative activity on the needs of companion animals.
    • Themes covered: Different types of pets, Basic Needs of Animals, Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, Responsible Pet Ownership & Enrichment.
  • Animal Adoption Challenge: Students will engage in a simulated adoption process. Students will identify the basic needs of pets, take into account considerations such as lifestyle and income, and use problem-solving and decision-making skills and currency handling to stay within their budget. 
    • Themes covered: EHS’ Mission, Vision and Values, Animals at EHS, Fund Development, Basic Needs of Animal, Adoption, Problem-solving, Decision-making & Currency Handling.
  • Animal Aware: Keeping You & Your Animals Safe: Students will assess dog and cat body language to identify feelings and emotions of animals. We will address how to remain safe when interacting with animals and how to prevent accidents from occurring.
    • Themes covered: Dog Body Language, Dog Bite Prevention, How to Appropriately Greet and Interact with a Dog, Cat Body Language & How to Appropriately Greet and Interact with a Cat.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Shelter Tour (Only Available On-site): Students will get a chance to go behind-the-scenes at EHS. Students will learn about what we do at Edmonton Humane Society, and how animals make their journey through our shelter and into their new homes.
    • Themes covered: Admitting, Medical Topics, Animal Behaviour, Enrichment, Animal Housing, Animal Care and Cleaning & Adoption.

  • Animal Career Pathways: Students will be provided the opportunity for career exploration within EHS, potential career skills needed and steps to take beyond education.
    • Themes covered: Animal Career Exploration, Career skills, opportunities at EHS, steps to take beyond education
  • Who We Are, What We Do: Students will discover what an animal shelter is and all that goes into running an animal shelter. We will talk about different animals that have been at EHS and how students can help animals both in the shelter and in their community.
    • Themes covered: Mission, Vision and Values, History, Animals at EHS, People at EHS, Fund Development & How You Can Help.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Shelter Tour (Only Available On-site): Students will get a chance to go behind-the-scenes at EHS. Students will learn about what we do at Edmonton Humane Society, and how animals make their journey through our shelter and into their new homes.
    • Themes covered: Admitting, Medical Topics, Animal Behaviour, Enrichment, Animal Housing, Animal Care and Cleaning & Adoption.

Be Kind to Animals Week!

Join the Edmonton Humane Society in celebrating Be Kind to Animals Week 2021 & help make a difference by getting your class involved!

By registering with us, you will receive a grade-specific program plan which includes a short activity to be completed each day throughout the week. Program plans are available for pre-school to grade six. Your program plan will be emailed to you upon signing up. Upon completion of all required lesson plans, each student will receive a completion certificate for Be Kind to Animals Week from EHS.

Register for Be Kind to Animals Week

Questions? Email [email protected]