Humane Education
Each year thousands of students receive a wide variety of quality programming delivered by Humane Educators and their companion animals! These programs are given in the greater Kansas City area’s public and private elementary schools, a variety of community organizations, and at Wayside Waifs.
These intentionally designed programs help students develop empathy for all living beings, a trait vital to a student’s success and predictor for future behaviors. We believe that the power of empathy empower students to create positive change for all living beings in our community and beyond.
While there is no set fee for our programming, we do ask that you consider making a donation. Your contributions allow us to continue these educational efforts.
Please note that group size limits may be in place.
In order to be responsible stewards of our resources, offsite presentation locations must be under 30 minutes and under 20 miles from Wayside Waifs.
If you are interested in scheduling one of the following educational programs for your group, please click the button below to fill out an online request form.
One of our Humane Educators will be in touch with you soon to coordinate details.
No More Bullying!®
Off-site or Virtual | Grades: 3-5 | 5 Lessons-1 hour per lesson | Companion animal attends classes
People who are abused by people often abuse animals. People who abuse animals often also abuse other people. And so the cycle goes. The connection between all forms of violence has been extensively studied and researched. In modern society, safety in schools, both physically and emotionally, has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Wayside Waifs directly addresses this fact by implementing the primary prevention program “No More Bullying!”. This curriculum is the cornerstone of the Humane Education program and is rooted in the social and emotional learning practices. Students learn how to gain Self-Respect and Respect from others by learning about and practicing the following core character traits: Responsibility, Compassion, being Humane, Self-Control and Integrity. Studies prove that developing these principles in young people through the humane treatment of animals leads them to have greater empathy for human beings, and is a higher predictor of success than IQ.
Classes taught by Wayside Waifs Humane Educators within the Kansas City area are done so free of cost. For those outside of our presentation radius, the curriculum is available for purchase.
To purchase the No More Bullying!® Curriculum to teach in your school, or to your community group, visit the No More Bullying!® website.
If you are interested in bringing this program to your school or want to learn more, contact us..
Educational Tours
On-site or Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 12 | 1 hour | Maximum Group: 20
Groups will experience a comprehensive tour of Wayside Waifs’ campus. Along the way, students may learn about Wayside’s animal intake process and how Wayside cares for animals that need extra attention. Students will also see Wayside’s state-of-the-art Veterinary Clinic and Pet Adoption Center. Students may have the opportunity to interact with an adoptable animal, but this will depend on group size and availability.
Kindness in Action!
Virtual Experience | Guided by Instructor or Once a Week | 1 hour
Join us for a 4 week kindness challenge! Based on our long running program, Kids in Action, this fun, new challenge is for anyone and everyone no matter how old you are or where you live. Individuals or groups can participate in one of our live sessions where we’ll meet virtually once a week to issue the challenge for that week, OR contact us to schedule a one-time program for your group where we’ll give you the challenge videos up front and you can complete them at your own pace.
Activating Em-PAW-thy: Exploring Similarities between Pets and People
Off-site, On-site, or Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 5 | 1 hour | Companion animal attends class
Developing empathy is an important part of youth development. What better way of helping students understand how another living being is feeling than to connect their feelings back to our own? Students will discuss the similarities between what animals and humans need to be happy and healthy, leaving the session with an increased motivation to care for their family pets and all living beings. Visits include a short tour of adoptable animals.
PAW-etiquette for Pooches & People: Dog Safety
Off-site, On-site, or Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 5 | 1 hour | Companion animal attends class | Maximum group: varies depending on program location
One of the most important ways students can stay safe around dogs is to understand and respect the way in which dogs communicate with us. During this bite prevention program, students will understand common body language in dogs (and people too!) and how to respond appropriately and respectfully. Students will also learn the proper way to greet a dog, what to do when approached by an unfamiliar dog, and additional strategies to avoid being attacked by a dog.
Once U-PAW-n A Time: Reading for Pets & People
Off-site, On-site, or Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 6 and Adults| 1 hour | Companion animal attends class | On site maximum group: 15; Off-site maximum group: 25
This program consists of several reading options:
- As students practice reading to a friendly, non-judgmental companion animal, their confidence soars eventually leading them to read in front of peers with ease. Teachers can decide to have regularly scheduled times with individual students or small groups of students.
- A soothing voice of a Humane Educator reading a story while residents at nursing homes, mental health facilities, or other adult care communities enjoy the interaction with a friendly companion animal.
- Create a reading experience involving a companion animal that best suits your needs.
- Is your family interested in coming in to read to the animals on an individual basis? Our self-guided reading program could be a great fit! For information about how to get involved, fill out our program application and sign-up to attend a monthly orientation.
Kids-in-Action
On-site | Grades: Kindergarten – 5 | 1 hour | Maximum Group: 20
We understand that youth can do big things to create change and positively impact our community. While volunteers at our shelter must be at least 13 years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian, we created our Kids in Action program to allow younger students to give back and help the animals in our shelter.
Projects may vary depending on shelter needs and will not include direct contact with the animals.
Projects might include:
- Making dog and cat toys
- Organizing/cleaning
- Folding and sorting the laundry
- Reading to some of Wayside’s Waifs
Families-in-Action Days
On-site | Ages: 8-12 years | 1.5 hours
Families who love helping animals will work together on a volunteer project such as making cat toys or dog treats. Each visit also includes a short tour of adoptable animals! Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Projects may vary depending on shelter needs and will not include direct contact with the animals.
Projects might include:
- Making dog and cat toys
- Folding laundry
- Reading to current Waifs
- And more!
Registration for these events is required.
Service Projects
On-site | Grades: 6-12 | 1.5 hours | Maximum group size: 20
Do you have a Middle or High School group interested in visiting our shelter and giving back to the animals? This is the program for you! In addition to touring the shelter, each participating group will complete a service project that directly helps the quality of life and well-being of animals staying at Wayside Waifs. Projects may vary depending on shelter needs and will not include direct contact with the animals.
Virtual Tours and Programs
Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 12 | 45 minutes maximum | Maximum Group: No limit
Not able to join us in person at our shelter? Virtual programs are for you! Your group can join us on a Zoom tour of Wayside Waifs and get a behind the scenes look at all of the ways in which we care for animals! Tours may include learning about Wayside’s animal intake process and seeing the Veterinary Clinic, Pet Adoption Center, and adoptable animals.
We are also happy to do any of our programs virtually, including Activating Em-PAW-thy, Dog Safety, Once U-PAW-n a Time Reading Program, guest speaking, and more!
Field Trips and Large Groups
Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 12 | 45 minutes maximum | Maximum Group: No limit
Do you have a large group or field trip you would like to bring to Wayside? We may be able to accomodate your group by offering a customized program based on your group size, interest and educator availabilty.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Reach out to our team for information on at-home DIY projects! Contact us here.
Guest Speaker
Off-site, On-site, or Virtual | Grades: Kindergarten – 12 | 1 hour maximum
We love speaking to groups about all things animal-related, whether that’s careers in animal shelters, pet care, animal rescue, volunteering, and more! Whether it’s a group of 10 or an assembly of 100, we’d be happy to speak about the animals with your group. The length of the program, maximum group size, and whether or not we have a companion animal with us depends on the guest speaking situation.
Interested in volunteering as a Humane Educator in one of these programs? Please contact us to schedule!
Wayside Waifs
3901 Martha Truman Road
Kansas City, MO 64137
816-761-8151
Adoption Hours
4/8 - 4/14, 2024
Monday - Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10am - 7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am- 5pm
Our Programs and Services
Sign Up for Email
You’ll receive our newsletter, “The Fire Hydrant,” special features on our Waifs of the Week, info on events, and more.