Learn More about AnimalSmart™! 
We are currently booking presentations for elementary schools 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 and Humane Society 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.
AnimalSmart™ presentations are offered free of charge to schools in our animal centre regions.
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 with and inspiring children? Considering joining our Humane Education Team to continue your journey of being an animal advocate! No prior experience necessary.
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 science and science
Theme 3: Animals in Our Community (Coming Soon!)
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: Animals in Our Community (Coming Soon!)
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
Theme 2: The Emotional Lives of Animals, Examining Empathy
Content: As your students continue on their path of understanding animal emotions, they will further examine the complex world of animal communication and feelings. Within our Theme 2 presentation, students will explore the profound ways animals express their emotions and the captivating techniques they use to communicate with us. This presentation aims to deepen the bond between human and animal emotions, enhancing our capacity for empathy and compassion towards all creatures.
Learning Goals: By the end of this presentation students will be able to…
- Describe the complex ways in which animals express their emotions and the impact it has on human-animal relationships.
- Apply the knowledge gained to demonstrate empathy and compassion in real-life interactions with animals.
Curriculum Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning Skills
- Transferable Literacy skills
- Broader curriculum ties to Science
Theme 3: Animals in Our Community (Coming Soon!)
French Presentations (Grades 1-8)
*Cornwall and surrounding areas (including Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott & Russell), Midland and York*
Primary -Theme 1
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.
Junior – Theme 1
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.
Intermediate – Theme 1
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.
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!
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.”
Wish to thank everyone involved
Heartwarming, well-organized and enthusiastic!
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 have had on our communities across Ontario already in 2023!
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