Humane Education Youth (HEY) Programs

Mission:  Fostering awareness, wonder, and curiosity of companion animals to empower youth to imagine healthy, balanced ecosystems 

Vision: With collective community wisdom HEY imagines - To put an end to animal suffering by building interconnected, compassionate neighborhoods advancing wellness for all humans, nonhuman animals, and the planet. 

How does the Humane Education for Youth (HEY) program support the Humane Society of Ventura County?  

HEY opportunities support HSVC by:

• promoting the adoption of animals, fostering, & volunteering  
• sharing information about available services & programs provided by the organization 
• sharing with youth the importance of pet care and observing animals 
• inspiring youth to help animals through service & donations 

Goals of HEY Programs:

• Engage with Ventura County schools, homeschools, and youth organizations 
• Provide information about services and support for companion animals  
• Provide an opportunity for students to practice skills linked to character-building  
• Share a common language and knowledge of the animal community and the connections between humans, non-human animals, and the environment (Humane Education) 

HEY Programs Available:

• “In the Community”/Offsite Programs available September - May: You provide the space, and a Humane Educator will share information with learners about coexisting with companion animals in our local neighborhoods. Click the button below to view all offsite/in the community program offerings.

• “At the Shelter”/Onsite Programs Available Seasonally =: HSVC will provide the space, and a humane educator will share information with learners about animals at the shelter and ways to help. Click the button below to view all onsite/at the shelter program offerings.

HEY in the Community         HEY at the Shelter

Five Guiding Principles of HEY Programs: 

• Empowering: Sharing information about animals to spark wonder and inspire curiosity for lifelong learning 
• Character Building: 

- Awareness of self & others 

- Exploring empathy & compassion through engaging in movement, role play, creative expression, perspective-taking, and self-reflection 

- Fostering love of animals and place through invitations of imagination and metacognition  

• Evidence-Based: Content rooted in Comprehensive Humane Education Pedagogy (People, Non-Human Animals, Environment)
• Sustainable: Mindful of the use of Earth-conscious products and practices
• Accessible: FREE onsite & offsite learning opportunities utilizing the Universal Designs of Learning (UDL) framework

If you are interested in booking a presentation or would like more information, please click the button below to fill out a request.