Humane Education & Community Outreach Programs

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The Humane Education Program of the VSPCA teaches children to understand the concepts of compassion, kindness and empathy towards all living things. It is recognized that there is very strong link between animal abuse and other forms of abuse. If a child sees abuse and disregard for life as the norm it will perpetuate that as an adult. Crime experts state that people who harm or kill other humans often started out by hurting animals. The goal of the HE program is to break this cycle.
 
Teaching children to be kinder to animals today is our only hope of a kinder society tomorrow.
  
The VSPCA Humane Education program is available free of charge to all primary schools and groups throughout the country. 
Programs are tailored to be appropriate for the schools or groups being presented to and are engaging, interactive, educational, and lively.
We provide all the necessary teaching materials and items required.
 Please contact us to schedule a presentation!      
 
Goals and Objectives of the Humane Education program
 
Goals 
  • To encourage the development of empathy and compassionate behavior in young people
  • To educate children in SVG about the needs and proper care of animals (especially companion animals), including how to interact safely with them
  • To raise awareness about the stray population and issues related to overpopulation
 
 
Overall Objectives
After participating in the program, children should be able to:
  • Identify the “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare
  • Understand animals have feelings and be able to empathize with those feelings
  • List ways in which we can care for companion animals
  • Demonstrate safe behavior when approached by a dog
  • Identify ways in which we can help the stray population in SVG
 
 
Benefits
  • Children become more informed, confident citizens
  • Children develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
  • Children develop an increased ability to empathize. Being able to empathize with animals has been shown to decrease violence and aggressive behaviour (and reduce crime)
  • Children are empowered to protect themselves from potential dog bites
  • The creation of a more caring community where all types of life are respected
 
 
What people are saying about HE presentations
 
“Children are learning how similar animals are like us (that) animals need food and water, exercise, shelter, health and love.  
“Children seem to engage in this topic.”