Looking to make an impact on students and get involved? Join our Humane Education Volunteer Team!
Passionate about animals? Want to make a difference in your community? Enjoy working and inspiring children? Considering joining our Humane Education Team to continue your journey of being an animal advocate!
Not sure if volunteering is the right fit for you? Check out the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions Section:
Volunteer F.A.Q.’s
What is AnimalSmart™?
What are these presentations, what do they cover, and what grades?
Currently, The Ontario SPCA is currently offering 2 different presentations for elementary school children or community groups. The presentations are separated into three divisions: primary, junior, and intermediate. The overall theme for theme 1 is “animal care.” Rolling out very soon we will have our theme 2 “Animal Emotions” and soon we will offer a third theme “Animals in our Community.” These presentations seek to connect and ignite excitement, empathy and understanding in the students on how to properly care for an animal, while leaving them with a positive outlook on how to be an animal advocate.
Do I need to have a teaching background to volunteer?
What training do I need to be a volunteer?
The Humane Education team provides all volunteers with any training required to present! Prior to your first presentation, you will have a 1 hour (approx.) virtual onboarding call with a Humane Ed team member to review the booking process, the Google Classroom and presentations. During this call, questions about the program will be addressed. After you have completed your onboarding call, you are provided with the opportunity to shadow a presentation or two until you feel comfortable taking over! Our Humane Education team will continue to support you as you journey into solo presenting.
What do I need to be a volunteer?
Our Volunteer Development team requires:
- A brief call going over the requirements of being a volunteer for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
- A Police Record Check if you are over the age of 18
- Access to a reliable vehicle and a driver’s license is an asset
- Access to a personal device on a private WiFi network (such as a laptop, tablet or phone) to access presentation materials and join the occasional virtual meeting
- Desire to be an impactful role model to youth advocating for animals!
All other materials required for presenting will either be sent to you by the Humane Ed team (volunteer t-shirt, ID badge for schools, etc.) or by the host during a presentation (computer and projector, papers/pencils for activities, etc.)
Do I need to use a personal tech device for presentations?
No, all hosts are required to have a computer/laptop, projector and speakers ready for your use when you arrive at a presentation. A personal tech device is an asset for reviewing content and joining virtual meetings like the volunteer onboarding & any bi-annual calls to review content the Humane Education team offers.
What if I work full-time or if I can only volunteer on certain days of the week?
How many presentations do I have to do to stay as an active volunteer?
The Humane Education team requests that their volunteers are able to complete at least 4 presentations a month.
How far will I have to travel as a volunteer?
I’m ready to volunteer, now what?
We are excited to have you join our Humane Education team! The first step to becoming an AnimalSmart™ volunteer is to create a profile on our volunteer database, BetterImpact. You can access the link by clicking the “Volunteer Now!” button on the homepage of the AnimalSmart™ website. Once you have completed creating your profile, you will be contacted by our Volunteer Development team who will schedule a meeting with you to review all required documents and paperwork. Once that is complete, the Humane Education team will welcome you to the team with an onboarding call to get to know you better and review our content.
How do I access the materials?
Our primary, junior, and intermediate presentations that we offer to schools and community groups working with children are an hour in length. That being said, it is important to factor in travel time to and from your presentation destination.
How long are presentations?
Can the host leave the classroom/group?
Can I leave my group/class while the presenter is there?
Can I download the materials and do the presentations on my own with my own class/group?
How do I book a presentation?
Once you have completed the onboarding process, a profile will be made for you by our Humane Education team on our booking app. Here, you are able to input your region and monthly availability for teachers/hosts to see and pick from. Teachers/hosts can book up to 3 months in advance and no less than a week before their preferred presentation date to ensure a volunteer in their area is available. Hosts will select a volunteer with the availability that suits their group needs (date & time) and that volunteer will get an email notification indicating they have been booked for a presentation. The Humane Education team will be overseeing the bookings on the booking app to ensure that all parties involved are accommodated and will provide support where needed.
Can I bring in my own animal to my presentations?
What if I have a holiday booked for an extended period of time?
Learn More about AnimalSmart™! 
We are currently booking presentations for grades 1-8 in our animal centre regions across Ontario.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society strives to provide care, comfort and compassion to all animals in need in our communities across Ontario. In support of these efforts, the Ontario SPCA has launched AnimalSmart™. These presentations are intended to foster empathy and promote a sense of responsibility within the community, inspiring a connection with animals.
AnimalSmart™ presentations take a student-centred approach, aiming to foster meaningful conversations about animals through discussions, videos and activities with curriculum connections.
The AnimalSmart™ presentations are offered free of charge to schools and community groups in our animal centre regions for grades 1-8 aged students.
Have more questions about hosting a presentation? Learn more in our Frequently Asked Questions Section:
Host F.A.Q.’s
What is AnimalSmart™?
What are these presentations, what do they cover, and what grades?
Currently, The Ontario SPCA is offering 2 different themes for elementary school children or community groups. The presentations are separated into three divisions: primary, junior, and intermediate. Theme 1 is “Animal Care,” theme 2 is “Animal Emotions,” and soon we will offer a third theme “Animals in our Community.”
These presentations seek to connect and ignite excitement, empathy and understanding in the students on how to properly care for an animal, while leaving them with a positive outlook on how to be an animal advocate.
How can I incorporate these presentations into my classroom if I’m an educator looking to book?
What’s the difference between the themes?
Theme 1, “Animal Care,” focuses on the different elements that animals need to be happy, healthy and loved within our homes and how we can ensure we provide a safe environment for them. Theme 2, “Animal Emotions,” covers the unique and various ways animals express themselves to us. Connections will be made between human and animal feelings in a way that strengthens our relationships with animals while learning about their communication styles.
Finally, theme 3, “Animals in our Community,” pulls important topics from the previous 2 themes while tying in the ideas of advocacy and how we can safely and effectively interact with animals within our communities.
What do I need to host a presentation?
Please ensure you have the following tools ready and set up:
- Electronic device (lap top) connected to a projector
- Access to internet *For Durham only- Google opened (your presenter may need to log you out of your Google account)
- Speakers to play videos
Other resources may vary depending on your grade level and presentation request:
- GOOS (Good on one side) paper
- Pencil and colouring tools for each participant
- Sticky notes (for grade 7 & 8 only)
- Hand out activity (will be emailed to you before presentation)
*You will receive an email reminder prior to the presentation date.
Do presenters bring in live animals with them during the presentation?
How long are presentations?
Can I leave my group/class while the presenter is there?
Can I download the materials and do the presentations on my own with my own class/group?
How do I book a presentation?
On our AnimalSmart™ website, you can book a presentation by clicking on one of the “Book a Presentation Now” buttons located throughout the web page.
You will be prompted to create an account with us in order to book a presentation. We promise that this process is seamless and easy! Please read the request carefully and fill out the form with the correct information. Once a presentation has been requested by a host, you will receive an email confirmation.
Can I invite another class/group to join my presentation?
What if I need to cancel a presentation?
School Presentations
Primary Level Presentations (Grades 1-3)
Theme 1: What If Animals Ruled The World? A Big Happy Planet For All
Content: Have your students ever wondered what it would be like if animals ruled the world? In our Theme 1 presentation, your group will take a deep dive into learning how to care for and understand an animal’s well-being overall. Focusing on empathy towards animals and how important it is to keep them happy and healthy.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation students will be able to…
- Explain the importance of caring for and keeping animals happy and healthy.
- Describe and/or illustrate at least 3 ways we can help keep animals happy and healthy.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social emotional learning skills
- Transferable literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to social studies & science
Theme 2: Animals have feelings too, Understanding our Companion Friends
Content: Animals have emotions too, but how do they tell us how they feel? In our Theme 2 presentation, your group will explore the different ways animals communicate with us to tell us how they feel. We begin with focusing on our own emotions and tie them to how our animal friends would show us the same emotion. Relating animal emotions to their own, students will foster empathy and understanding towards animals.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation, students will be able to…
- Identify their own emotions and compare them to animal emotions.
- Analyze an animal’s body language to recognize what emotions an animal is expressing.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social emotional learning skills
- Transferable literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to Social Sciences and science
Theme 3: Awesome Animals in Our Community – How to Care, Share and Play Safely
Content: In this fun and engaging presentation, kids will learn about the helpful community programs offered by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society beyond pet adoptions, explore various pet services in our community like pet stores and vet offices focusing on all the ways they support healthy animals, and understand how to safely interact with animals they encounter in public. This “choose your own adventure” style presentation takes students through group discussions, games and moments of reflection as a way to inspire a love for animals and teach important safety tips for young animal lovers.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation, students will be able to…
- Understand how we can safely interact with animals in our community and support their needs.
- Analyze an animal’s body language to recognize what emotions an animal is expressing.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning Skills
- Transferable Literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to Social Sciences
Junior Level Presentations (Grades 4-6)
Theme 1: Tail Wagging Happy! The Importance of Caring for an Animal’s Well-being
Content: Through the exploration of animals and their specific needs, students will deepen their understanding of providing suitable welfare for companion animals. In our Theme 1 presentations, students will engage in classroom discussions and games, collaboratively defining solutions to address the needs of different animals, fostering a broader perspective on caring for animals.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation, students will be able to…
- Describe the specific care requirements of different companion animals.
- Define and label the appropriate solutions to address the unique needs of different animals that commonly live inside of our homes.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning Skills
- Transferable Literacy skills
- Broader curriculum ties to Science
Theme 2: Emotional Adventures, A Journey into Animal Feelings
Content: Explore the intricate world of animal communication to recognize animal emotions. In our Theme 2 presentation, students are diving deeper into understanding how animals express their feelings, and uncovering the methods they use to communicate with us. Students will further strengthen the connections of human and animal emotions alike, reinforcing the sense of empathy and compassion we show all animals.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation, students will be able to…
- Define and explain the concept of animal emotions, describing their understanding of how animals experience and express their feelings.
- Analyze the link between animal and human emotions, differentiating their communication methods.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning Skills
- Transferable Literacy skills
- Broader curriculum ties to Science
Theme 3: Animal Adventures in Our Backyard – Learning, Loving and Protecting our Furry Friends
Content: In this fun and engaging presentation, kids will learn about the helpful community programs offered by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society beyond pet adoptions, explore various pet services in our community like pet stores and vet offices focusing on all the ways they support healthy animals, and understand how to safely interact with animals they encounter in public. This “choose your own adventure” style presentation takes students through group discussions, games and moments of reflection as a way to inspire a love for animals and teach important safety tips for young animal lovers.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation, students will be able to…
- Understand how we can safely interact with animals in our community and support their needs.
- Analyze an animal’s body language to recognize what emotions an animal is expressing.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning Skills
- Transferable Literacy skills
- Broader curriculum connections to Social Sciences
Intermediate Level Presentations (Grades 7-8)
Theme 1: Being the Change, Caring For Animals and their Well-being
Content: In our Theme 1 presentations, students will embark on a compassionate journey with us as we explore ways to create a positive impact on the lives of animals in need and promote their well-being through community engagement. Through collaborative discussions and sharing personal experiences, students will discover the impact they have on the well-being of animals and the communities they live in.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation students will be able to…
- Evaluate their impact on animals in the communities they live in through group discussion.
- Describe ways they can support animal well-being through community engagement.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning Skills
- Transferable Literacy skills
- Broader curriculum ties to Science
Additional Resources
Supporting Animal Loss
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s AnimalSmart™ program offers educational content to students to learn more about how to provide for our animals while showing them care, compassion and respect. During these times, we often find children seeking guidance and sharing their experiences with the passing of an animal.We want to provide resources for teachers and parents/guardians to provide support for their children while managing these difficult times.
Explore our AnimalSmart™ Artist Hub!
Highlighting our students’ awesome artwork and contributions to our presentations – showing what they’ve learned during the AnimalSmart™ presentations as animal advocates!
Wonderful Words!
See what our fantastic hosts and volunteers have to say about our AnimalSmart™ presentations!
Great variety
Loved the variety of activities and student involvement.
Very engaging
My class really enjoyed the presentation and were very engaged. It had the right balance of listening and active participation for busy students.
Thank you
Students love to share stories about their pets and the presenter gave them that opportunity. Thank you for allowing presenters to come share their knowledge in our classrooms.
Knowledgable and patient instructor
Our presenter was extremely nice and patient with the students. She was knowledgeable about animals and delivered her message using simple terminology. Students were able to identify 3 important things an animal would need. The students were engaged and loved the presentation. Thank you!
Students had a great time!
The presentation was good. Our presenter provided a lot of info and was able to answer the students questions. The students had a great time.
Engaging and enjoyable
We really enjoyed our visit. The students loved the topic and had lots of great information to share with each other but also learned a lot. It was engaging and enjoyable!
Interactive and empathetic
Thank you for such a timely opportunity to share and remind students that empathy extends beyond relationships with people. We enjoyed the interactive slideshow and the game brought out the competitive nature of our students! Thank you, once again, for this insightful presentation!
Great involvement for students
I like the way the two presenters involved the students in the different activities and the students really love acting. All the students show interest on what they were learning. Thanks for coming!
Amazing volunteer experience
The video of the dog and bird (Joy and Heron) was really loved and at the end one boy put up his hand and simply said “reciprocity” – this is a word they are working on in class and described this video perfectly. The teacher was thrilled he recognized this and he “got a point” because of it.
Great experience volunteering!
The kids were all so sweet and attentive!
Wish to thank everyone involved
Heartwarming, well-organized and enthusiastic!
Fostering meaningful relationships
Seeing how invested students already are in the wellbeing of their animals and the well being of animals in our Community Kids and animals are so naturally connected, it’s great to foster these relationships in such a meaningful way.
So proud
My highlight was seeing a little girl look up at me with a big smile and say “I’m going to be a veterinarian.”
Love hearing from students!
I really enjoyed hearing students talk about their own animals and how much they enjoyed spending time with them!
Thank you!
I loved being able to teach young minds and help influence them and educate them on animal advocacy.
Empathy
Bringing empathy and compassion into the classroom.
Our AnimalSmart™ Impact!
See the impact our AnimalSmart™ presentations had on our communities across Ontario in 2023!
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