Students discover the importance of providing necessary care for their pets through empathy building activities. By showing students engaging flashcards and reading a touching story of a CHS dog, we evoke the similarities between human and animal emotions, behaviours, and needs. We also discuss what pets need to be healthy and happy during our interactive activity. We conclude with a dog safety exercise, including information about dog bite prevention.

This presentation is designed for students age five and older.

Themes Covered:

• Empathy
• Needs of Animals
• Safety
• Social and Emotional Literacy
• Community Involvement
• Responsibility
• Humane Treatment of Animals
• Compassion
• Animal Welfare

Curriculum Connections: My Pet and Me

• Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2

With the recent popularity of reptiles and amphibians in the pet trade, it is important that both adults and children understand the ins and outs of exotic animal ownership and care. This program educates students on the difference between wild and domestic animals, showcases the various reptiles and amphibians found in Alberta, and examines popular reptiles in the pet trade today. We take a look at the needs of these unique creatures and some of the conservation efforts and laws that are out there to protect the wild populations.

Themes Covered:

• Life Cycles
• Wetlands
• Wild vs. Domestic Animals
• Conservation
• Respect
• Compassion
• Empathy
• Exotic Pets
• Human Ecological Impacts
• Native vs. Invasive Species
• Exotic Animal Care and Ownership
• Needs of Exotic Animals

Curriculum Connections: Reptiles and Amphibians 

• Grade 3, Grade 5

What really happens when you feed wild animals? Examine what happens when humans and wildlife collide. Respect, rights and responsibility are the 3 R’s of animal welfare. Using case studies and engaging activities, students explore the needs of living things and learn about the importance of acting humanely towards all living creatures, both wild and domestic. Various issues will be discussed with an emphasis on co-existing with wildlife in urban areas.

Themes Covered:

• Conservation
• Citizenship
• Compassion
• Respect
• Global and Community Responsibility
• Wildlife Hazards
• Safety
• Community Involvement
• Web of Life
• Human Ecological Impacts

Curriculum Connections: Urbanization and Wildlife

• Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6

Students will discover the many similarities between bullying and animal cruelty by comparing the motivations and causes behind aggressive behaviour. This interactive, empathy building program includes real case studies and group activities which allow students to express their opinions, practice negotiation strategies, consider different perspectives, and perceive abuse from the viewpoint of the victim. We also discuss the importance of recognizing and reporting all forms of abuse and distribute contact numbers of local service agencies.

Themes Covered:

• Conflict Resolution
• Inclusion
• Empathy
• Personal Responsibility
• Bystander Roles
• Healthy Relationships
• Caring Communities
• Compassion
• Respect
• Tolerance
• Courage to Speak Up
• Cycle of Violence

Curriculum Connections: Bullying Pets and Peers

• Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6

Students discover that there are laws dealing with animals at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. Using recent and detailed case studies, students will gain a full understanding of how CHS investigates and prosecutes against cases of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect. Students will examine how to determine different types of animal abuse and what to do if they suspect an animal is suffering. Through closely inspecting the legislation protecting animals, students will be given the opportunity to discuss what they think works and what changes they would love to see in the future. We will also discuss the Calgary Humane Society’s role in animal protection and the 3 R’s of animal welfare (respect, rights, and responsibility).

Themes Covered:

• Law Creation and Modification
• Law Enforcement
• Levels of Government
• Respect
• Compassion
• Community Involvement
• Responsible Pet Ownership
• Legal System
• Citizenship

Curriculum Connections: Animal Protection—Police for Pets

• Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

What happens when humans invade wild spaces? Is there really such a thing as “nuisance” wildlife? Examine what happens when humans and wild animals collide. “Respect, Rights, and Responsibility,” are the 3 R’s of animal welfare. Using case studies and engaging activities, students explore the needs of living things and learn about the importance of acting humanely towards all living creatures, both wild and domestic. Various issues will be discussed with an emphasis on co-existing with wildlife in urban areas.

Themes Covered:

• Conservation
• Citizenship
• Compassion
• Respect
• Global and Community Responsibility
• Wildlife Hazards
• Safety
• Community Involvement
• Web of Life
• Human Ecological Impacts

Curriculum Connections: Urbanization and Wildlife 

• Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9

In this interactive empathy building program, students learn about the connection between bullying and animal cruelty. The discussion begins with animal welfare and transitions to human violence as students begin to relate the examples given to bullying and other societal concerns. By evaluating scenarios of abusive behaviour in a group activity, students discover that views on abuse can vary substantially and that they have the power to create an atmosphere of acceptance in their school, home, and community.

Themes Covered:

• Healthy Relationships
• Empathy
• Cycle of Violence
• Ethics
• Connection Between Animal and Human Violence
• Respect
• Community Action
• Personal Value Judgements (Discovering, Challenging and Developing)
• Abuse Awareness (Animal, Family and Relationships)

Curriculum Connections: Bullying Pets and People 

• Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9

Students will discover that there are many avenues to fulfill a dream of working with animals. This presentation explores the different careers available and volunteer opportunities that young people can pursue.

Themes Covered:

• Volunteerism
• Career Paths
• Career and Life Management
• Interest Development
• Future Planning
• Entrepreneurship
• Realistic Job Expectations
• Interest Mapping

Curriculum Connections: Careers with Animals 

• Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

People who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. This program examines the connection between human violence and animal cruelty. We explore the cycle of violence including school violence, dating violence, domestic abuse, animal cruelty, and organized crime (dogfighting). Students will learn how to recognize, respond, and report cases of abuse and will receive information on how to contact social services agencies in Calgary. This empowering and interactive presentation includes case studies from the Calgary Humane Society and a group activity.

Themes Covered:

• Social Responsibility
• Warning Signs
• Healthy Relationships
• Violence Prevention
• Consequences
• Reporting Violence
• Cycle of Violence
• Bullying
• Family Violence
• Help and Resources
• Empowering Youth to Speak Out
• Connection of Human and Animal Violence

Curriculum Connections: The Link 

• Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12