How to Start a Youth Program or Humane Education Initiative: A 5-Phase Approach for Dog Welfare Organizations

Executive Summary

Youth education programs represent a powerful strategy for transforming animal welfare and connecting with your community. By engaging school-aged children, animal welfare organizations can simultaneously address critical challenges like dog bite prevention, responsible pet ownership, and long-term community attitudes toward animal welfare.

Who Should Read This Guide: This comprehensive, step-by-step resource guide is designed for animal welfare professionals at SPCAs, humane societies, and rescue organizations seeking to develop new youth education initiatives that engage their communities in a meaningful manner.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why youth programs are crucial for animal welfare
• Designing a youth program grounded in your community’s specific needs
• Practical steps for designing an effective education program
• Resources for engaging children and creating lasting impact
• Checkpoint at the end of each section summarizing key building blocks of your youth program.

Introduction

Dogs play an increasingly complex role in our societies, serving as working animals, companions, and integral community members. Yet, despite their ubiquity, children’s interactions with dogs remain fraught with potential misunderstandings and risks. Current statistics highlight alarming trends: dog bites result in tens of millions of injuries annually, with children disproportionately affected. Furthermore, families with children are five times more likely to consider pet surrender.

As many school curricula lack comprehensive dog safety and welfare education, these challenges underscore the urgent need for organizations to provide accessible and engaging youth programs focused on responsible animal interaction, safety, and welfare.

Rationale: Why Youth Programs Matter

Transforming Human-Dog Interactions

Dog bites pose life-threatening risks, potentially resulting in serious injuries or even rabies cases. They can also lead to the euthanasia of a dog. Because bite incidents are significantly more prevalent among children with limited experience in dog interactions, youth programs provide a crucial opportunity to teach safe, respectful dog interactions, enabling students to practice reading dog body language and managing bite aftermath.

Success Story: Dog safety education dramatically improves children’s understanding of crucial bite management practices. Specifically, a short rabies-focused presentation in Malawi led to a five fold increase in students who understood the critical importance of washing bite wounds for 15 minutes.

Cultivating Responsible Dog Ownership

Even school-aged children can become meaningful contributors to animal welfare. Carefully designed workshops can introduce age-appropriate responsibilities such as:

• Understanding a dog’s physical and emotional needs.
• Recognizing the long-term cost and commitment of pet ownership.
• Learning practical skills like training, walking, and grooming.

Addressing Critical Educational and Social Gaps

Modern education systems overlook critical attributes like empathy and kindness. Simultaneously, urbanization has dramatically reduced children’s opportunities to interact with animals. Animal-assisted education programs fill these critical gaps by:

• Providing meaningful experiences that develop emotional intelligence.
• Creating opportunities for animal interaction.
• Supporting children in understanding complex social and emotional concepts.

Investing in Future Animal Welfare

Many nations are grappling with veterinarian shortages, high turnover within animal welfare organizations, and a general lack of public understanding regarding proper animal care. Youth programs offer a promising solution by creating a sustainable pipeline of dedicated individuals. These programs inspire children and adolescents by introducing them to diverse animal care careers, providing first-hand exposure to the world of veterinary and shelter work.

Program Models: Successful Examples from the Field

SPCAs, humane societies, and even dog training academies have developed diverse forms of humane education and youth initiatives. These programs vary in purpose and format, ranging from basic dog information to specialized programs addressing specific community needs.

Talks and Presentations

Description: The most common form of youth programs, featuring an educator presenting dog-related topics to school-aged children. Ideal for short, time-bounded engagements on standalone topics that can be replicated across different groups and settings.

Success Example: SPCA Hong Kong’s 270-Degree Classroom

• Children visit the SPCA facility for an immersive experience.
• Interactive lessons aligned with educational curricula.
• Utilizes engaging cartoons to capture children’s attention.

Workshops and Camps

Description: Flexible program format spanning from single-day sessions to multi-day experiences, particularly popular during holiday breaks. These programs are more interactive and encourage group bonding.

Success Example: Dogs Trust “Be Dog Confident” Workshop

• Targeted specifically at children anxious around dogs.
• Provides meaningful outcomes for parents and caregivers.
• Builds confidence through structured interaction.

Recurring Programs

Description: Regular programs that include diverse activities like story time, Pup Art events, after-school clubs, or supervised drop-off events for children.

Success Example: Humane Society of Kitchener, Waterloo & Stratford Perth – Paws for Parents

• Runs on a fixed schedule to give parents a three-hour break.
• Designed for children ages 5-11.
• Program includes shelter tours, animal meet-and-greet, movies and snacks.

Birthday Parties and Scout Badges

Description: Programs piggybacking on existing social activities, focusing on fun-filled learning about animal welfare.

Success Example: SPCA Serving Erie County – Scout Compassion Programs

• Educational focus embedded in celebratory and group events.
• Activities centered on animal kindness.
• Generates program revenue through event fees.

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Youth Support Programs

Description: Increasingly popular, innovative programs leveraging dogs’ therapeutic potential to support youth experiencing various forms of challenges, including the use of animal-assisted education in classrooms.

Success Example: spcaLA’s Teaching Love & Compassion (TLC) Program

• Targets students and youth offenders.
• Uses shelter dogs to teach patience and anger management.
• Collaborates with the justice system and offers diversion program opportunities.

School Curriculum Incorporation

Description: Collaborative efforts to integrate animal welfare education into formal schooling.

Success Example: Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and the Philippines Department of Education

• Integrated rabies education into the national curriculum.
• Developed comprehensive educational resources.
• Potential to reach 21 million students.

I. Program Definition

Whether inspired by a teacher’s proposal or an internal board member’s idea, developing a youth program requires a clear view of why your program will be relevant to your community.

Your Community’s Needs

The first step is to ground your program in a clear understanding of your community’s specific needs. Identify the core problems in your community, such as:

• Are dog bites a significant problem?
• Are there concerns about child safety because of free-roaming dogs?
• Is there a high rate of dog surrenders among families with children?
• Do you see many instances of teen-driven animal abuse?
• Are there social-emotional issues with the youth in your community?

Knowing your community’s pressing concerns helps you better explain to teachers, parents, local officials, and community funders why your program matters.

Practical Approach: Shelter records can reveal significant clues. In addition, conduct a simple community assessment by reviewing local animal control records, speaking with veterinarians, and surveying school administrators about their perceived animal welfare education needs.

Program Goal

After identifying community needs, establish a broad but clear overarching goal that directly addresses the challenges you’ve documented. Your goal statement serves as a guiding principle for all program decisions. Remember that a single community may have multiple interconnected needs.

Consider the following youth program goals as examples:

• Ontario SPCA & Humane Society: “Foster empathy and promote a sense of responsibility within the community, inspiring a connection with animals.”
• Animal Friends: “Animal Friends is committed to providing the knowledge and resources needed to empower the next generation of animal advocates, helping them make informed, responsible choices to improve the lives of animals in our community.”
• Mission Rabies: “We are creating communities who know how to protect themselves from rabies and who act to support rabies control.”

Key Decisions

Before launching your youth humane education initiative, several foundational decisions will shape its direction and impact. Carefully define your target audience, curriculum, and delivery methods by grounding these decisions in your community’s needs. However, remain flexible and seize relevant opportunities, such as teacher partnerships, when they support your overall program goals.

For Whom: Audience Considerations

Age is particularly important due to the dramatically different topics and approaches required when working with children of different age groups.

For example, SPCA Montreal in Canada targets audiences from kindergarten to grade 6 (elementary school), providing two different classroom presentations:

Presentation	Target Audience	Topics
“My Animal Friends”	Kindergarten to Grade 3	• Cultivate values like compassion and empathy • Teach dog body language • Safe approach techniques
“Happy Animals, Healthy Planet”	Grade 4 to 6	• Relationship with diverse animal species • Interconnectedness of animal and human welfare • Actions for harmonious living

To overcome the limitations of knowledge retention, prioritize repeated exposure to humane messaging. Initiate your program with one class year and follow their development, reinforcing key concepts.

On What: Common Humane Education Topics

Your content choices should align with both community needs and your organization’s core mission. The most effective programs address specific local challenges while building broader empathy and understanding.

How: Choosing Effective Program Formats

Select a program format that aligns with your objectives, available resources, and the community’s context:

Format	Advantages	Considerations	Resource Requirements
School Presentations	• Reaches many students efficiently • Minimal setup requirements • Easier to schedule	• Limited student engagement time • Classroom constraints • Dependent on teacher interest	LOW: basic materials
Field Trips	• Immersive, memorable experiences • Behind-the-scenes exposure • Direct animal interactions	• Transportation logistics • Facility requirements • Higher coordination needs	MEDIUM: Facility preparation, safety protocols
After-School Clubs	• Deeper engagement • Relationship building • Progressive learning	• Regular time commitment • Consistent staffing needs • Potentially smaller reach	MEDIUM-HIGH: Ongoing staffing, materials/ space.
Holiday Camps	• Intensive learning opportunities • Revenue potential • Comprehensive content coverage	• Significant planning required • Higher staffing needs • Seasonal limitations	HIGH: Multiple staff, extensive materials, full-day programming
Virtual Programs	• Geographic flexibility • Reduced logistical challenges • Easily scalable	• Technology requirements • Reduced hands-on learning • Limited animal interaction	LOW: Digital platform, engaging visual content

Youth program formats come with considerable flexibility, allowing for creative adaptation based on organizational capacity. There are no right answers. Organization could consider the following approach:

1. Start Simple: Presentations offer an excellent entry point requiring the least resources.
2. Hybrid Approaches: Consider combining formats for maximum impact (e.g., classroom visit followed by optional field trip).
3. Build Progressively: Use successful classroom programs to create a pipeline to more intensive offerings, such as camps.

Also, match program format with content to maximize impact. Topics like career awareness require extensive exploration, making multi-session formats — such as weekly workshops or holiday camps — ideal for comprehensive learning.

In addition, align program scope with available resources to ensure sustainable implementation; avoid overextending with intensive or recurring programs if staffing or volunteer capacity is limited.

Mentorship & Partnership

To navigate the challenges of launching a youth program, seek mentorship or propose a partnership. Collaboration provides access to expertise, resources, and established networks, significantly improving program impact and long-term viability.

Why Partner?

• Reduce startup time and resource investment
• Access proven curriculum materials and teaching methodologies
• Leverage established relationships with schools and community groups
• Navigate regulatory requirements more effectively
• Share costs and expand reach

Potential Mentors or Partners:

• Animal Welfare Organizations: Regional SPCAs, humane societies, and other animal welfare organizations with youth education programs offer potential for valuable knowledge sharing.
• Therapy Dog Programs: Organizations running reading-to-dogs programs or animal-assisted therapy initiatives have valuable experience working with both animals and children in structured settings.
• Local Youth-Serving Organizations: Existing after-school youth programs have established audiences and understand effective youth engagement strategies.
• Community Institutions: Libraries, museums, and community centers often seek engaging educational programming and can provide free or low-cost venues for your activities.

Research and identify potential mentors or partners whose mission aligns with your goals. Remember that effective partnerships are mutually beneficial. When approaching potential partners, clearly articulate how the collaboration addresses their needs and objectives, not just yours.

Checkpoint 1

At this stage, your organization’s youth program should be clearly defined with:

✓ Community Needs Assessment
✓ Program Goal Statement
✓ Target Audience Definition
✓ Content Focus
✓ Program Format Selection
✓ Mentorship and Partnership Outreach

II. The Lesson Plan

Having defined your community’s needs, your program goal, audience, topic of discussion, and format, it is now time to develop a clear roadmap for how your program will flow and what specific content it will include. Lesson plans, an essential tool for educators, outline the learning trajectory of a session. Animal welfare organizations can leverage them across diverse youth programs. They ensure logical flow, maintain consistency among instructors, and offer a professional document for schools and parents.

Learn about the key components of the lesson plan with the video below: 

Learning Objectives

Drive your program towards its central goal by ensuring each session — be it a one-off presentation, one of the camp days, or a recurring activity — has clear learning objectives. These objectives define the desired participant outcomes, creating a direct link to your program’s ‘north star.’

Example: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Academy (UK)

Battersea’s Academy was set up to “raise standards and build resilient workforces in rescue and rehoming centres across the world”.

Its Dog Behaviour & Dog Body Language course, with the following objectives, seeks to improve professionals’ understanding of canine communication and handling, thereby directly advancing the Academy’s mission.

When planning your session, create a similar list of concrete, measurable objectives for each day of your activity. This will help you better define the learning sequence and evaluate your program’s effectiveness.

Session Phases

Every educational session follows a basic structure with the following key phases:

1. Introduction / Opening Activity

• Capture your audience’s attention with an engaging opener.
• Begin with an ice-breaking activity to establish rapport. For groups with limited prior interaction, extend the allotted time, as research suggests humane education achieves greater impact when students are familiar with one another.
• Present the objectives so participants understand what to expect.
• Connect the session to participants’ existing knowledge or experiences.

2. Main Body

This is the core of your lesson, and it should include components of instructions and practices for the students. You can employ various teaching approaches:

Approach	Explanation	Potential Format
Learning	Focuses on teaching specific skills or knowledge	Lectures, presentations, videos, demonstrations, observation
Exploratory	Introduces topics for discussion and analysis	Group discussions, case studies, brainstorming exercises
Creative	Brings participants together to create something	Crafts, enrichment toys, adoption poster design, dog treats
Active	Involves physical movement and engagement	Role-playing, simulations, games, hands-on activities

Engaging Activity Ideas

• Observations: Bring students to witness a vet clinic or vaccination drive in action.
• Videos: Use age-appropriate content showing dog safety or human-animal relationships.
• Pet Stories: Incorporate storytelling exercises to build literacy skills.
• Role-Playing: Use dramatic play kits like Regina Humane Society’s animal shelter setup (pre-K to grade 1) or the “CIT Squad” investigation activity (ages 8-12).
• Games: Incorporate educational games from organizations like HEART.
• Activity Books: Utilize resources like “La Aventura De Cuidar Un Perro” or coloring books from AVMA, Family Paws, or Humane World for Animals.

(More resources are listed under the Additional Resources section)

Most effective lessons combine multiple approaches — for example, starting with a presentation of new information, followed by group discussion, and concluding with a hands-on activity to apply the knowledge. Here is what it could look like:

Pro Tip: Break down the main body into clearly defined sub-sections, especially when transitioning between topics or locations. This helps maintain focus and engagement.

3. Assessment for Understanding

Effective learning requires feedback on how well participants have grasped the material. Consider various assessment methods:

• Knowledge quizzes (before and after the program)
• Creative projects like posters or pamphlets
• Letters to shelter dogs
• Take-home activities for family involvement.

Use assessment results to improve your teaching approach and demonstrate program impact to funders and stakeholders.

4. Conclusion

Don’t just say goodbye — use this crucial time to:

• Review the most important concepts with participant involvement
• Inspire children to learn more about the topic
• Provide clear directions for additional resources and information
• Explain how children can get more involved with your organization, including any youth volunteer programs.

Other Considerations

• Session Duration: Align with age-appropriate attention spans (30-45 minutes for young children, 60-90 minutes for older youth).
• Content Pacing:
  • Focus each session on a single core concept with supporting activities.
  • Alternate between active and passive learning activities.
• Buffer Time: Build in transition periods between activities and sessions. Schedule 5-10 minute breaks for every hour of programming.
• Flexibility: Allow for extension of popular activities or addressing unexpected questions.
• Energy Management: Alternate between high and low-energy activities throughout each session.

Checkpoint 2

At this stage, your youth program should have at least one shareable lesson plan including:

✓ Learning Objectives
✓ Lesson Structure
✓ Lesson Components
✓ Lesson Timeline

III. Program Logistics

Strong logistical planning transforms good program concepts into exceptional experiences. This section outlines the key operational considerations that will ensure your program runs smoothly from launch through evaluation.

Delivery and Staffing

Presenter and Organizer

The individuals who deliver your program significantly impact its quality, scalability, and sustainability. Consider these staffing options carefully based on your resources and goals.

Staffing Approach	Advantages	Considerations	Best For
Organization Staff	• Consistent quality control • Deep knowledge of your mission • Professional presentation	• Limited scalability • Higher cost • Staff time trade-offs	Programs requiring specialized knowledge or handling live animals
Trained Volunteers	• Cost-effective expansion • Community engagement • Potentially larger reach	• Training investment needed • Variable availability • Oversight requirements	Standardized presentations, established programs with clear protocols
School Teachers	• Classroom management expertise • Existing student relationships • Curriculum integration	• Less organizational control • Training needs • Variable commitment	Programs designed for ongoing classroom implementation
Junior Volunteers	• Peer-to-peer influence • Leadership development • Authentic youth voice	• Supervision requirements • Limited to certain content • Training investment	Assistant roles, peer education for older youth, recurring programs

Separately, establish a dedicated team to handle organization, setup, and media capture. Factor in the workshop’s format and activities, as extensive support might be necessary, comparable to planning a large-scale celebration.

Depending on your organization’s approach, you should prepare the following:

• Clear Role Descriptions: Define separate responsibilities for presenting content, managing logistics, and documenting activities.
• Regulation Compliance: Adhere to all applicable regulations regarding background checks, criminal record checks, and professional qualifications.
• Comprehensive Training: Develop standardized training that covers content, presentation skills, and child engagement techniques.
• Succession Planning: Cross-train multiple individuals for each program to prevent disruption if key personnel depart.

Participant-to-Adult Ratios

Appropriate supervision ratios are essential for both safety and educational effectiveness. Various factors influence optimal ratios.

• Regulatory standards in your community (varies by age group)
• Program format and content (discussions vs. presentations)
• Venue considerations (field trips, vet offices)
• Special Needs (participants with diverse abilities)
• Risk factors (animal presence, activities planned)

Some strategies for helping to reduce your organization’s workload:

• Parent Involvement: Consider parent volunteer options for field trips or special events
• Junior Helpers: Utilize teen volunteers to support primary adult supervisors (not as replacements)

Animal Involvement

Carefully consider the inclusion of live animals. While animal-assisted education gains popularity in certain regions, standardized regulations are limited. Prioritize animal welfare by evaluating these factors:

Educational Benefits:

• Enhanced engagement and attention from participants
• Direct demonstration of animal body language and behavior
• Stronger emotional connections to program messages
• More memorable experiences that reinforce learning.

Important Considerations:

• Animal welfare and stress management
• Age-appropriateness of interactions
• Facility requirements and safety protocols
• Risk management and liability concerns
• School and venue policies regarding animals.

Alternatives to Consider:

• High-quality animal models or realistic puppets
• Video demonstrations of animal behavior
• Interactive technology simulations

Animal Involvement Best Practices

If you determine animal inclusion is appropriate:

• Written Policies: Develop comprehensive guidelines that prioritize animal welfare.
• Selection Criteria: Choose animals with appropriate temperaments who enjoy human interaction.
• Structured Interactions: Design brief, controlled interaction periods with clear rules.
• Rest Protocols: Establish mandatory rest periods for animals and watch for stress signals.
• Proper Training: Ensure all staff and dogs receive appropriate training, such as through therapy dog programs certification. 
• Contingency Plans: Develop alternatives for when animal participation isn’t possible.
• Parental Consent: Obtain specific permission for programs including animal interaction.

Schedule Management

Thoughtful scheduling significantly impacts program effectiveness and participant experience.

Key Scheduling Considerations

Multiple organizations have developed comprehensive guides to help you build your own temporary outing program:

• Frequency Options:
  • On-demand presentations (respond to specific requests).
  • Regular weekly or monthly programs (build deeper engagement).
  • Seasonal offerings (align with school breaks and holidays).
  • Sequential series (progressive content over multiple sessions).
• School Calendar Awareness: Plan around testing periods, holidays, and curriculum requirements.
• Registration Timing: Research typical registration timelines for similar programs (especially for camps) in your community.
• Communication Protocols: Establish clear scheduling and confirmation processes with all stakeholders.

Venue Selection

Your youth program location significantly impacts logistics, content possibilities, and overall experience. It could be held in schools, animal shelters, or even a third party venue like a community center or a government office. Each venue offers distinct advantages:

Location	Advantages	Considerations
Schools	• Familiar environment for students • Built-in classroom setup • No transportation required • Technology access	• Limited animal involvement • Space constraints • School scheduling limitations • Variable facilities
Animal Shelter	• Authentic animal welfare context • Direct animal observation • Behind-the-scenes access • Organization control	• Transportation requirements • Limited classroom facilities • Potential distractions • Space constraints
Community Centers	• Neutral, accessible locations • Flexible space options • Partnership opportunities • Central community access	• Rental costs • Setup/teardown requirements • Less familiar environment • Variable facilities

Venue Selection Factors

• Program Goals: Align location with specific learning objectives.
• Accessibility: Ensure venue meets disability requirements and is accessible by target audience.
• Safety Considerations: Evaluate emergency procedures, security, and environmental hazards.
• Technical Requirements: Confirm availability of necessary technology, electricity, and internet.
• Comfort Factors: Assess seating, temperature control, acoustics, and restroom facilities.

Financial Planning

Thoughtful financial planning is essential for creating sustainable, impactful youth programs to ensure your program’s financial health and sustainability.

Program Costs

Understanding your true program costs is the foundation of sound financial planning. Consider these key cost categories:

Staff and Personnel Costs

• Direct Delivery Time: Hours spent presenting or facilitating programs
• Preparation Time: Curriculum development, material preparation, setup/teardown
• Training Investment: Staff and volunteer training hours and materials
• Administrative Support: Registration management, communication, evaluation
• Benefits and Overhead: Full cost of employment beyond base wages

Program Material Expenses

• Educational Materials: Handouts, activity supplies, presentation aids
• Animal Care: Transport, special equipment, treats, preventative care
• Technology: Presentation equipment, software licenses, online platforms
• Participant Supplies: Craft materials, workbooks, take-home resources
• Branded Items: T-shirts, certificates, completion gifts

Facility and Operational Costs

• Space Rental: Community venue fees or internal space allocation costs
• Transportation: Vehicle expenses for animals or staff, field trip transportation
• Insurance: Additional coverage for youth programs or special activities
• Refreshments: Snacks or meals for longer programs
• Administrative Expenses: Registration systems, payment processing fees, marketing

Program Fees

Setting appropriate fees requires balancing accessibility with financial sustainability.

Fee Structure Options

• Full-Cost Recovery: Participants pay fees that cover all direct and indirect program costs.
• Subsidized Model: Partial fee coverage supplemented by organizational funds or grants.
• Tiered Pricing: Multiple price points based on ability to pay,
• Scholarship System: Full-cost fees with separate application for financial assistance,
• Free Programming: No participant fees, fully funded through organizational budget or grants,

Pro tip: To ensure financial sustainability, avoid offering free youth education programs. Instead, implement a tiered pricing or scholarship system. These programs provide a valuable revenue stream that can support other operational costs.

Fee Setting Considerations

• Market Analysis: Research comparable programs in your community.
• Value Perception: Communicate the unique benefits of your program to justify fees.
• Accessibility Goals: Balance revenue needs with mission-driven access.
• Volume Impact: Consider how price points affect participant numbers.
• Discount Strategies: Determine policies for siblings, early registration, or multiple sessions.

Fee Collection Best Practices

• Clear Policies: Establish and communicate transparent refund and cancellation policies.
• Payment Options: Offer multiple payment methods and potential installment plans.
• Registration System: Implement user-friendly online registration and payment processing.
• Scholarship Process: Create a dignified, straightforward financial aid application.
• Receipt Management: Provide detailed tax receipts when applicable.

Grant and Sponsorship Opportunities

External funding is crucial for program accessibility and quality. Explore foundations focused on animal welfare or child development, local community foundations, and corporate sponsorships. Some corporate sponsorship strategies include:

• Targeted Requests: Ask sponsors to fund specific program elements (transportation, materials, scholarships).
• Recognition Packages: Develop tiered sponsorship levels with appropriate acknowledgment.
• Local Businesses: Approach pet-related businesses, veterinary practices, or family-oriented companies.
• In-Kind Support: Request donated supplies, printing services, or refreshments.
• Employee Engagement: Offer volunteer opportunities alongside financial sponsorship.

Legal and Safety Considerations

Before launching any program, ensure these essential safeguards are in place:

• Review insurance policies (particularly regarding minors and animals).
• Draft waivers for program participation.
• Prepare permission slips for off-site activities or sensitive content (e.g., surgical demonstrations).
• Collect emergency contact information and health/dietary restrictions.
• Obtain media release permissions for photos and videos.
• Establish clear emergency procedures and response protocols.

Checkpoint 3

At this stage, your youth program should have key logistical details finalized:

✓ Selection of main speaker(s)
✓ Definition of supporting roles
✓ Determination of program capacity based on participant-to-adult ratios
✓ Identification of regulatory requirements for staff and volunteers
✓ Decision regarding animal involvement
✓ Development of animal welfare protocols, if applicable
✓ Establishment of animal selection criteria, if applicable
✓ Selection of program delivery locations
✓ Establishment of pricing policies
✓ Calculation of program budget
✓ Identification of funding sources
✓ Review of insurance policies
✓ Creation of necessary waivers, permission forms, and information collection forms

IV. Program Execution

Proactively evaluating your program from the viewpoints of attendees, guardians, and instructors will allow you to address critical details and facilitate seamless program execution

Pilot

Before marketing and full implementation, test your program in a controlled environment:

• Small-scale trials: Run your presentation with a small group of volunteers’ children to gather initial feedback.
• Activity testing: Conduct dry-runs of all hands-on activities to identify potential obstacles.
• Timing verification: Confirm your estimated time frames are realistic for each program segment.
• Material review: Have colleagues review your materials for clarity and age-appropriateness.

Promotion and Outreach

Following a successful pilot, implement a strategic marketing plan to maximize your youth program’s reach and impact, thereby optimizing your investment.

Digital Presence

Create a comprehensive online footprint that showcases your program’s value:

• Develop a dedicated section on your website with program details, impactful photos, and compelling testimonials.
• Implement a content calendar for consistent social media promotion.
• Maintain a detailed FAQ section addressing common questions from educators and parents.
• Share success stories and impact statistics that demonstrate program effectiveness as your program grows.

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Strategic Outreach

Forge meaningful connections with key stakeholders:

• Educators: Partner with school boards or teachers’ unions to integrate your program into their teaching plans.
• Parents: Engage through volunteers who are parents, PTA/PTO meetings, community events, and targeted social media groups
• Youth Organizations: Engage with Scouts, 4-H clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and after-school programs.
• Community Partners:  Build relationships with libraries, community centers, and supportive local businesses.

Sign-Up

Create a hassle-free registration experience for participants and their families:

• Digital systems: Implement user-friendly online registration through platforms like Google Forms, Eventbrite, or dedicated registration software.
• Information collection: Gather essential details including emergency contacts, allergies, and behavioral considerations.
• Confirmation: Send confirmation emails with program details, preparation instructions, and what-to-bring lists.
• Reminders: Schedule reminders (for guests, external speakers, and internal colleagues) 1 week and again 24 hours before the program.

Promotion & Media Coverage

Once program delivery is confirmed, develop a strategy to maximize visibility:

• School channels: When working with schools, request coverage in school newspapers, newsletters, and social media before the event. 
• Local media: For program launches or special events, contact community journalists with a concise press release.
• Documentation: Designate a team member to capture high-quality photos and videos (with appropriate permissions)
• Social media planning: Create a schedule to share program highlights across your platforms.

Day-of Program Management

Optimize the participant experience through thoughtful preparation:

• Welcome process: If appropriate, establish a clear check-in system and create an engaging welcome environment.
• Before/After Care: Determine if extended hours are needed and communicate policies clearly.
• Meals and Snacks: Consider your food policies and gather dietary restrictions in advance.
• Accessibility: Ensure programs accommodate participants with diverse needs and abilities.
• Absentees: Consider leaving behind materials for the absentees. 
• Parents: Distribute materials for parents with workshop information and responsible pet ownership guidance.

Post-Program Follow-Up

Strengthen relationships and extend program impact:

• Appreciation: Send personalized thank-you messages to teachers, parents, and community partners.
• Resource sharing: Provide follow-up materials to reinforce program concepts.
• Invitation: Invite teachers and parents to participate in future programs or volunteer opportunities.
• Network expansion: Request referrals to other educators who might benefit from your program.
• Media sharing: Distribute approved photos and highlights through your communication channels.

Checkpoint 4

At this stage, you should have thoroughly considered the experiences and needs of your youth program’s key stakeholders:

✓ Execution of a small-scale pilot with a test audience
✓ Creation of a digital presence for the program
✓ Establishment of a social media promotion schedule
✓ Development of an outreach plan for schools and community organizations
✓ Implementation of a user-friendly registration process
✓ Creation of confirmation emails with detailed program information
✓ Establishment of a reminder communication schedule
✓ Setup of a payment processing system, if applicable
✓ Development of check-in/welcome protocols
✓ Finalization of meal/snack plans, if applicable
✓ Assembly of all necessary program materials and equipment
✓ Creation of a thank-you communication template
✓ Preparation of take-home resources for participants
✓ Planning of social media and website content featuring the program

V. Impact & Long-Term Success

Prior to program launch, establish clear success criteria. With program details in hand, define specific objectives and key performance indicators. Develop robust evaluations to demonstrate the  of your youth program and guide ongoing improvement. A systematic measurement framework ensures the program’s evolution to meet dynamic needs.

Creating SMART Objectives

Well-crafted objectives translate your broad vision into concrete, actionable steps with clear metrics for success. Effective program objectives serve as both guideposts for implementation and benchmarks for evaluation.

Develop objectives that follow the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These objectives outline the sequential steps required to reach your overarching goal while providing clear evaluation parameters:

Examples of SMART Objectives:

• “Deliver humane education programming to 200 students across 10 schools during the 2025-2026 academic year”
• “Achieve 90% demonstrated proficiency in proper dog bite prevention techniques among program participants”
• “Maintain a 70% participant retention rate throughout the six-month program duration”
• “Inspire at least 10% of high school workshop participants to pursue animal welfare studies in higher education”
• “Establish formal partnerships with 3 community organizations focusing on youth development by program year-end”

Connecting Objectives to Evaluation

Each objective must link directly to specific, trackable metrics that demonstrate your youth program’s effectiveness and impact. These metrics form the foundation of your evaluation framework and guide your assessment strategy.

When developing your objectives, consider these critical factors:

Consideration	Key Questions
Data Accessibility	Can you realistically collect the necessary data? What methods will you use?
Resource Allocation	Who will be responsible for tracking each metric? What tools will they need?
Stakeholder Priorities	Which outcomes will resonate most with funders, partners, and community members?
Leading Indicators	What early signals will indicate if you’re progressing toward longer-term goals?
Outcome Hierarchy	How do you balance immediate outputs (presentations delivered), with intermediate outcomes (knowledge gained), and long-term impacts (behavior change)?

Well-designed objectives create a comprehensive framework for program implementation, assessment, and refinement. By establishing clear targets from the outset, you enable meaningful evaluation that demonstrates value to stakeholders while providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.

Evaluation Framework

Develop a comprehensive evaluation strategy to demonstrate program impact and identify improvement opportunities:

Evaluation Type	Purpose	Timing	Methods
Participant Reaction	Measure satisfaction and engagement	Immediately after program	Interactive feedback forms, emoji surveys for younger children, exit tickets
Learning Assessment	Measure knowledge and skill gained	Before, during, and after program	Age-appropriate quizzes, role-play activities, demonstrations, observation checklists
Knowledge Retention	Assess lasting understanding	3-6 months after program	Follow-up surveys, parent/teacher reports, participant stories, online refresher quizzes
Behavior Change	Track application of knowledge	6-12 months after program	Parent observations, self-reported behavior changes, follow-up scenarios
Community Impact	Evaluate broader effects	12+ months after program	Local shelter statistics, community animal welfare metrics, dog bite incidents

Evaluation Best Practices

Create meaningful measurements that truly capture program effectiveness:

• Align with objectives: Design evaluation tools that directly measure your specific program goals.
• Use age-appropriate methods: Tailor evaluation approaches to participant developmental levels.
• Combine approaches: Mix quantitative metrics (ratings, counts) with qualitative feedback (stories, observations).
• Establish baselines: Document knowledge or attitudes before the program to accurately measure change.
• Make it engaging: Design creative evaluation activities that feel like part of the program, not tedious paperwork.

Data-Driven Program Evolution

Use evaluation insights to strengthen your program. Schedule a quarterly or bi-annual assessment of program feedback and outcomes for:

• Activity refinement: Identify and enhance the most impactful program components.
• Challenge analysis: Address recurring logistical or content issues.
• Success amplification: Double down on elements that consistently receive positive feedback
• Stakeholder reporting: Create concise impact summaries for different audiences (board, donors, partners)

Program Sustainability and Expansion

Documentation

Youth programs operated by humane societies or dog welfare organizations often involve diverse staff and volunteer roles, including presentation, logistics, and supervision. A comprehensive program policy document ensures consistency across all areas.

Draft an internal-use youth program policy document to include:

• Program rationale, goals, and objectives
• Target audience and age policies
• Program schedule
• Staff responsibilities and workflow
• Lesson preparation checklists
• Program materials
• Emergency and incident reporting protocols
• Staff and volunteer communication protocols
• Program evaluation procedures
• Waivers and forms.

Sustainability

Ensure your program thrives long-term:

• Diverse funding: Avoid reliance on grants only. Develop multiple revenue streams including appropriate program fees and sponsorships.
• Staff development: Implement training systems to maintain consistent quality as personnel changes.
• Community anchoring: Forge lasting partnerships with schools, libraries, and youth organizations.
• Adaptation processes: Establish mechanisms to evolve your program alongside changing community needs.

Expansion

Invite key stakeholders to jointly explore expansion opportunities once your youth program is established:

• Frequency and Venue Expansion: Bring your program from classrooms into other community venues, including within your shelter.
• Cohort Following: Start with one grade level and develop progressive curriculum that follows the same students as they advance.
• Sequential Exposure: Create programming, such as camps, that builds on previous knowledge with repeated, deeper exposure to core concepts.
• Train the Trainer: Develop a training program for teachers, parents, and volunteers to enable scalable program delivery 
• Alumni engagement: Create pathways for program graduates to remain involved as junior counselors or volunteers.

Checkpoint 5

At this stage, the following key program planning tasks should be finalized:

✓ Establishment of SMART objectives for program outcomes
✓ Development of tools to measure objectives, including participant reactions and pre/post learning assessments
✓ Creation of systems for tracking program statistics
✓ Development of reporting templates for various stakeholders
✓ Establishment of a timeline for regular program assessment
✓ Development of a method for communicating program impact to the community
✓ Creation of comprehensive program documentation
✓ Establishment of staff development and succession plans
✓ Identification of criteria for recognizing potential expansion opportunities.

Additional Resources

Youth Program Development

• Humane Education: Shaping the Future for Animals – This webcast by Pam Stonebraker from SPCA of Tompkins County gives a clear perspective from someone who has done it before.  

• SessionLab Guide to Workshop Planning – Step-by-step framework for designing engaging workshop experiences.

Professional Networks

• Association of Professional Humane Educators (APHE) – Membership organization offering resources, networking, and professional development.
• HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers) Network – Connect with other humane educators across North America.
• Certified Humane Education Specialist – Professional certification program covering comprehensive humane education practices.

How Children Learn

• Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction – Research-based approach outlining nine events that correlate to and address the conditions of learning. 
• Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy – Framework for categorizing educational goals, focuses on six levels of cognitive learning: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create.
• How Children Learn – For a deeper understanding of optimal children’s learning environments, John Holt’s classic book, How Children Learn, details the effectiveness of self-directed and intrinsically motivated learning.

Curriculum Resources

• Teaching Resources by Country – The Dog Welfare Project hosts a growing list of humane teaching resources organized by country.
• Common Core – Website listing all U.S. state and national standards for humane lessons.

Handouts

A select list of supporting handouts for frequently addressed youth program topics is provided below.

• The Roles Dogs Play
  • Cats, Dogs and Us poster by IFAW
  • The Roles of Assistance Dogs coloring pages by Red Bear
• Dog-Safe Interactions
  • Doggie Language by Lili Chin
  • Five Tips to Prevent Dog Bite by World Animal Protection
  • How to Say Hello to A Dog Safely (Parent Handout) by Pet Education Partnership
• Responsible Ownership
  • Operant and Classical Conditioning by Lili Chin
• Careers Helping Dogs
  • AVMA brochure about the veterinary profession

Evaluation Tools

• National Council of Nonprofits – Provides a list of resources to support performance evaluation and outcome measurement.
• Center for Nonprofit Excellence – Uploaded a guide on program evaluation for nonprofit organizations.

Conclusion

Youth humane education represents one of the most powerful investments your organization can make in creating a more compassionate community. Each program you deliver plants seeds of empathy that grow throughout participants’ lives, influencing not only how they treat animals but how they relate to the world around them.

Begin with well-designed, modest initiatives and expand as you build capacity and demonstrate impact. Document your successes, learn from challenges, and share your experiences with the broader animal welfare community. Remember that even small-scale programs can create meaningful change when delivered with intention and heart.

By investing in children today, you’re establishing the foundation for lasting transformation — a future where responsible, compassionate care for animals becomes the community standard. Your work creates ripples that extend far beyond the classroom or camp setting, touching countless animals and people for generations to come.

Related Topics

• A Global List of Dog Welfare Education Initiatives for Children & Related Teaching Resources
• A Global List of Volunteer Programs for School-Aged Children with Dog Shelters
• Dog Welfare & Humane Education Camps for Children & Teens: A Global Directory