Field Trips & Presentations
Humane Education
We believe that all children and youth deserve the opportunity for humane education programming. Our in-class animal presentations for schools are customized for the age groups receiving the presentation, ensuring every class gets age-appropriate information. We can deliver these presentations in-class, online via Zoom, or during a field trip to Calgary Humane Society.
If you are looking for more information, or want to ask about subsiding your program or bussing please contact our Humane Education Department at humane.education@calgaryhumane.ca or (403) 205-4455 ext 6544.
Classroom Presentations
Presentations are available Tuesday – Friday from 9:30am – 3:00pm, throughout the school year. Our presentations are 1.5 hours long. Our Humane Education Facilitator will come to your classroom, to teach your students about the presentation topic of your choice. We offer presentations for one class at a time.
A typical schedule for a presentation includes:
- Facilitator arrives to your classroom
- 45 minutes: presentation of your choice
- 15 minutes: set aside for questions
- 30 minutes: For an activity or craft related to your presentation
Presentations cost 99$ per class, please contact us for further information about subsidized programming for your classroom if needed. To schedule, please follow the link here.
Field Trips
A visit to Calgary Humane Society is an excellent field trip for Kindergarten to grade twelve classes looking to learn more about empathy, kindness, and animals. They’re a great way for youth of all ages to uncover the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we hear at Calgary’s oldest animal welfare organization.
Choose from any of our classroom presentations to begin your morning and let our experienced educators elevate your field trip experience with an animal guest and tour of our facility.
When Can I book a Field Trip?
Calgary Humane Society Field Trips are available Tuesday – Friday from 9:30am – 12:00pm, throughout the school year. Our Field trips are 2.5 hours long. We offer field trips for one class at a time.
Our Field Trips are customizable, here is a typical schedule:
9:30 – 9:45: Arrive at Calgary Humane
9:45 – 10:15: Presentation selected and Q&A
10:15 – 10:30: Snack break
10:30 – 11:00: Tour of adoptions floor
11:00 – 11:30: Animal Guest visits your students
11:30 – 12:00: Activity or Craft
12:00: Pack up – back to school (or stay for lunch)
If needed, you may request an extra half hour in our learning centre for your students to eat lunch at no extra charge.
Field trips cost $199, please contact us for further information about subsidized programming and bussing for your classroom if needed. To schedule, please follow the link here.
Educational Presentations
Below are each of our available presentations, including a Curriculum Connection document covering the ways in which these presentations are connected with learning outcomes for Alberta schools. If you would like more information about a course, contact us at humane.education@calgaryhumane.ca.
Presentations By Grade
My Pet and Me—Friends for Life
Kindergarten – Grade 2
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
Presentations By Grade
Furry Friends in the Classroom
Kindergarten – Grade 3
We bring the Humane Society to you! A special furry friend will visit your classroom along with a Humane Education Facilitator. The facilitator will teach your class about the history of Calgary Humane Society, the community helpers that work within the Humane Society, as well as discuss proper pet care. Your students will learn about safely interacting with animals, reading animals body language and will be able to meet an adorable adoptable animal!
This presentation is designed for students in Kindergarten to grade 3
Themes Covered:
- Empathy and Compassion for animals
- Needs of Animals
- Humane treatment of animals
- Safety when interacting with animals
- Community Helpers
- Responsibility
- Animal Welfare
Curriculum Connections: Furry Friends in the Classroom
Presentations By Grade
Pawsitive Change Makers
On-site Only
Kindergarten – Grade 6
Your students will learn about Calgary Humane Society and the inner workings of a shelter. We will discuss how animals come to CHS, the journey the animals have through the shelter into adoptions, and the staff and volunteer roles that all support and care for the animals. Your students will have a hands-on activity that will help the animals in the shelter. Their task will be dependent on what is needed at the shelter at that time. Some examples of tasks include; creating animal enrichment toys, adoption posters, thank you cards, laundry folding competitions and reading to our animals who are waiting for their forever home!
Themes Covered:
- Responsibility and Volunteerism
- Animal Welfare
- Community Helpers
- Empathy and Compassion for animals
- Safety when interacting with animals
Curriculum Connections: Pawsitive Change Makers
- Coming Soon!
Presentations By Grade
Bunnies 101
Kindergarten – Grade 6
Ever wonder the difference between a pet rabbit and the rabbits you see outside? Do rabbits really like carrots? Why do rabbits make such wonderful companion animals? In this presentation you will learn all about the wonderful world of companion bunnies at CHS! We will talk about the proper pet care needed for rabbits, how to interact and read their body language and emotions, the difference between domestic and wild rabbits, and much much more. You students will also create a bunny themed craft. If you are attending a Field Trip at CHS, your students will also have the opportunity to visit an adoptable bunny to practice their learning.
Themes Covered:
- Domestic vs wild animals
- Proper Pet Care
- Empathy and Compassion for animals
- Safety when interacting with animals
Curriculum Connections: Bunnies 101
- Coming Soon!
Presentations By Grade
Feline Friends
Kindergarten – Grade 6
Everything kitty related! Your students will take a deep dive into how cats show their emotions and communicate with humans. We will discuss everything a cat needs to thrive in a home, proper pet care, and will discuss should cats wander outside? Your students will make a cat themed craft. During a Field Trip student will also visit with one of our Feline Friends to practice reading the cats body language and safely interacting in a way the cat will enjoy as well!
Themes Covered:
- Proper Pet Care
- Empathy and Compassion for animals
- Safety when interacting with animals
Curriculum Connections: Bunnies 101
- Coming Soon!
Presentations By Grade
CHS Champions – Fundraising Preparation
Kindergarten – Grade 12
Are your students looking for a way to engage with the community and help in the world of Animal Welfare? Would you like tips and tricks on how to organize a Fundraiser for Calgary Humane? We will come visit your students at your school or host you at Calgary Humane to help your students learn about fundraising. Your students will collaborate and work together to create a fundraiser that can be done at your school. They will gain a deeper understanding of how their efforts will positively impact our animals.
Themes Covered:
- Philanthropy and Community Involvement
- Responsibility and Volunteerism
- Animal Welfare
- Empathy and Compassion for animals
Curriculum Connections: Fundraising Preparation
- Coming Soon!
Presentations By Grade
Reptiles and Amphibians
Grade 3 and Grade 5
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
Presentations By Grade
“Don’t Feed The Bears!”: Human Impacts on Wildlife
Grade 3 – 6
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
Presentations By Grade
How to Speak Dog
Grade 3 – 6
Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Well in this presentation, your class will learn the in-depth world of reading a dog’s body language. We will discuss how to properly introduce yourself to a dog, ways to interact and how to respond to the cue’s a dog is giving you about their emotions. During a Field Trip your class will visit with a social dog and will be able to practice reading dog body language and safe interactions. Your class will also create a dog themed craft or enrichment item for our resident dogs at CHS.
Themes Covered:
- Empathy and Compassion for animals
- Safety when interacting with animals
- Proper Pet Care
- Animal Welfare
Curriculum Connections: How to Speak Dog
- Coming Soon!
Presentations By Grade
Bullying: Pets and Peers
Grade 4 – 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
Presentations By Grade
Animal Protection—Police for Pets
Grade 6 – 8
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
Presentations By Grade
Urbanization and Wildlife
Grade 7 – 9
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
Presentations By Grade
Bullying—Pets and People
Grade 7 – 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
Presentations By Grade
Careers with Animals
Grade 7 – 12
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
Presentations By Grade
Leadership Initiative
On-site Only
Grade 7 – 12
The Humane Education Leadership Initiative (HELI) is a group opportunity for Junior and Senior High school leadership classes, youth in after-school clubs, CTF/CTS courses, and sports teams. We can accommodate medium to large groups.
Groups will be able to experience hands-on supportive tasks at Calgary’s only open-admission animal shelter! Our experienced Humane Education team will work with you to build an itinerary that is suitable for the age level of your youth.
Themes Covered:
- Career and Life Management
- Animal Husbandry and Care
- Interest Development
- Realistic Job Expectations
Curriculum Connections: Leadership Initiative
- Coming Soons!
Presentations By Grade
The Link
Grade 10 – 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
