Humane IQ Character Education Program

At the Humane Society of Missouri we believe that kindness, compassion and respect are values that benefit everyone, including people AND animals.

Learning how to see things from an animal’s point of view, how to read animal body language, how to safely interact with animals and how to care for animals provides students with meaningful opportunities to demonstrate empathy and responsible decision-making. Students in 5th and 6th grade are developing greater independence and discovering their own value and voices. They are also in an influential position to be humane role models for younger students who are looking up to them. Our Humane IQ Program encourages them to think critically, make kind choices and put their compassion into action helping the animals in their lives and community. They have power to make a positive difference in the lives of shelter animals and we provide hands-on, age-appropriate activities for them to do so during the program.

WHO? | The Humane Society of Missouri’s Education Department offers this grant-funded program for students who reside in under-resourced school districts located service areas from which we receive a high volume of calls to our animal cruelty hotline.

WHAT? |  Our two-part humane education program offers 5th or 6th grade students the opportunity to visit our shelter and make connections with the animals in our care and then inspires them to organize a stuffed animal donation drive within their school before we visit the following week for a school-wide assembly.  The stuffed animals are then given to the shelter animals for play or comfort.

WHERE? | The first part of our program takes place at the Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Avenue. Our funding allows us to provide this two-part program FREE of charge, including the bus to transport your oldest grade students to our animal shelter for Part A. Part B is a 45 minute school wide assembly that will take place at your school and includes Shelter Dog Ambassadors. These dogs are previous shelter/rescue dogs who have been adopted by our volunteers. They are friendly, experienced working with children and fully vaccinated and remain leashed at all times.

HOW? | Schedule a program with the Humane Society of Missouri’s education department by clicking here to select your dates. If you have any questions, please contact the Humane Society's Education Office at [email protected] or 314-951-1579.

Looking for an opportunity to give your students the chance to explore empathy, compassion and responsible decision-making through meaningful connections with animals? We’d love to connect with you and your students. We have limited spots available so reserve your program today!