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Education and Outreach
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| hu·mane, adj. 1. Characterized by kindness, mercy, or compassion: a humane judge. 2. Marked by an emphasis on humanistic values and concerns: a humane education. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition About the Animal Center's Education and Community Outreach Programs: The Animal Center offers humane education programs to schools, businesses, and other agencies. Visitors may also schedule a program and tour of the Animal Center facility. Programs are available to any age group and on any animal-welfare topic. Contact Taylor Slemmer, Humane Educator, to schedule a program. Contact Information: Taylor Slemmer, Humane Educator, 865-215-6661 Page Contents: 1. Scheduling Programs & Fees 6. Other Available Teaching Resources Please contact the Humane Educator directly to schedule your program. To avoid scheduling conflicts, we recommend that you have at least three dates available for the requested program. Also, please schedule your date as far in advance as possible. The Animal Center will make every attempt to accommodate a program request. In most cases, the Animal Center charges a program fee of $25. Please have this payment available on the day of the program. If your agency requires an invoice to process a payment request, please request one when you schedule your program. Make checks payable to "Young-Williams Animal Center." Cash is also accepted. Program fees are used for the care of the animals at the Animal Center. If you prefer to make an in-kind donation to the Center rather than paying the program fee, please notify the Humane Educator of your intention when you schedule your program. See Young-Williams Animal Center's Wish List for most-needed items. Visiting the Animal Center for a Program & Tour Programs at the Animal Center are typically one hour, although shorter programs are available for very young visitors. See "General Program Topics" for program ideas. Program content can be modified to suit any group or ability level, so please make your preferences known to the Humane Educator. First-time visitors might consider a general program that includes an introduction to animal sheltering, the Animal Center's role in the community, the importance of spay and neuter, and what citizens can do to help homeless animals in our area. A tour of the adoption floor and a visit with some of the adoptable animals may be included in the presentation if requested. Programs Available to Schoolchildren Although the Animal Center is able to present any age-appropriate program requested (see "General Program Topics" below), specially-designed programs are available for third through fifth grade students. These programs introduce young animal lovers to the idea of responsible pet ownership and the fundamentals of understanding the behaviors and needs of pets and other animals. Ultimately, our goal is to help children learn respect for all living beings. Programs for Third through Fifth Graders (can be adapted for younger and older students):
The Animal Center is willing to give any age-appropriate program. Below are a few program ideas:
Programs Available to Girl Scouts The Animal Center has several programs listed in the Girl Scout Program Resource books for Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors. Some programs meet the Girl Scout requirements for earning a badge while others meet requirements for earning an award. Brownies (Ages 6-8 years and Grades 1-3) Try-It! Activities: Presentation Name: Good Pet or Not a Good Pet? Program Description: Through discussion, activities, and visits with Animal Center pets, scouts will be able to distinguish between wild animals and pets. They will also realize that for any type of animal interaction, they must always stay safe. Goals: Scouts will become familiar with animals that are considered pets and those that are wild. They will also learn what to do when encountering either type of animal in different scenarios. Program Objectives:
Date & Time: By appointment. Most programs given M-F 11am-5pm, some Saturdays. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable Presentation Name: Walk with the Animals. Talk with the Animals. Program Description: Through discussion, activities, and visits with Animal Center pets, scouts will learn how dogs and cats communicate through sound and movement. Scouts will also learn how to stay safe when meeting a new animal and when it is safest to stay away from an animal. Goals: Scouts learn to interpret dog and cat sounds and movements to better understand how those pets communicate. Program Objectives:
Date & Time: By appointment. Most programs given M-F 11am-5pm, some Saturdays. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable. Juniors (Ages 8-11 years and Grades 3-6) Pet Care Badge Activities: Presentation Name: Add It Up Program Description: Through discussion, activities, and visits with Animal Center pets, scouts will identify the needs of a pet and calculate the monetary cost of providing all that a pet needs. The owner's lifelong commitment to a pet will be stressed as will the importance and financial practicality of adopting a pet from a shelter rather than buying one from a breeder or pet store. Goals: Scouts learn that responsible pet ownership comes with many responsibilities and costs. Program Objectives:
Date & Time: By appointment. Most programs given M-F 11am-5pm, some Saturdays. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable. Presentation Name: Animal Talk Program Description: Through discussion, activities, and visits with Animal Center pets, scouts will learn how animals communicate through sound and movement. Scouts will also review safety techniques around different types of animals. Goals: Scouts learn to identify the subtle and often not so subtle messages our pets and other animals give us through their vocalizations, body posturing, and movements. Program Objectives:
Date & Time: By appointment. Most programs given M-F 11am-5pm, some Saturdays. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable. Presentation Name: Facts of Life Program Description: Through discussion, activities, and visits with Animal Center pets, scouts will learn about pet overpopulation and identify and understand the components of solving this fixable problem: legislation, education, and sterilization. Scouts will also understand how they, as individuals, can help solve this problem. Goals: Scouts learn about the global problem of pet overpopulation and the answer to solving this very fixable problem: better animal laws, education about pet care, and especially spay and neuter. Program Objectives:
Date & Time: By appointment. Most programs given M-F 11am-5pm, some Saturdays. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable. Presentation Name: To Have or Have Not Program Description: Through discussion, activities, and visits with Animal Center pets, scouts will be able to distinguish between wild animals and pets. They will understand that there are laws designed to keep wild animals in their native habitat and the reasons for those laws. They will understand that humans are the caretakers for all animals and humans and animals have many common needs. Goals: Scouts will distinguish between pets and animals that are considered to be wild. They will identify the needs of pets, learn about the needs of the wild animals, and become aware that humans and animals share many needs. Program Objectives:
Date & Time: By appointment. Most programs given M-F 11am-5pm, some Saturdays. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable. Juniors Bronze Award Goals: Junior scouts will work closely with the Animal Center's Humane Educator to earn their Bronze Award. If the troop has not visited the Animal Center before, troop leaders are encouraged to schedule a visit and tour of the Animal Center. Scouts will be introduced to animal sheltering, the Animal Center's role in the community, and the importance of spay and neuter. The Humane Educator can brainstorm with the scouts to identify projects for their award. Bronze Award projects must be done outside of the Animal Center facility and must follow the Girl Scout Bronze Award guidelines. Program Objectives:
Suggested Programs:
Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: One-time fee of $25 per troop Limit: Class size is negotiable. Cadettes (Ages 11-14 years and Grades 6-9) Pet Badge Career Exploration Activities Presentation Name: Career Exploration 2 Goals: Scouts work closely with Animal Center staff to understand the needs of companion animals and the responsibilities of being a pet owner through career exploration exercises. Career Exploration 2: Scouts will interview two Animal Center staff members to learn about the education and training required for that type of employment. Job duties will be reviewed, and a tour of the Animal Center's adoption floor, lobby, and community room will be provided. A discussion about other jobs at the Animal Center and animal shelters will take place, too. During the visit scouts are asked to choose their favorite job at the Center, explain why it is their favorite, and identify the education and training needed to hold that position. To encourage a more thoughtful discussion, scouts are encouraged to research careers in animal sheltering on the internet or from another source before visiting with Animal Center staff. Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per scout Pet Badge Service Projects Activities Presentation Name: Service Projects 1, 4, 5 Goals: Scouts work closely with Animal Center staff to understand the needs of companion animals and the responsibilities of being a pet owner through service projects exercises. Service Projects 1 & 5: Scouts will meet with an Animal Center staff to discuss animal shelter and volunteer needs. Scouts will be required to donate eight hours of time over one month, although more volunteering hours will be available. Scouts will assist the Website Coordinator with updating the Center's award-winning website (Young-Williams Animal Center). Scouts will record information about the pets on a spread sheet, will walk animals, and will pose animals for their website photos. Scouts must be able to take direction well and be comfortable with various types of animals. More than half of the animals adopted from the Animal Center were first viewed on the Center's website. It is a life-saving tool. Before volunteering, scouts are asked to familiarize themselves with the web site. Service Projects 4: Scouts will meet with an Animal Center staff to identify volunteer needs apart from helping with website updates. Scouts may be permitted to volunteer with the animals on the adoption floor at the discretion of the Animal Center staff, although they may be asked to perform a variety of duties. All tasks are all designed to keep the Animal Center animals and visitors comfortable and safe. Duties might include unfolding newspaper, spot-cleaning kennels and other animal areas, folding laundry, light housekeeping, and other tasks on the Center's adoption floor. Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per scout Pet Badge Skill Builders Activities Presentation Name: Skill Builders 1, 2, 4, 5 Goals: Scouts work closely with Animal Center staff to understand the needs of companion animals and the responsibilities of being a pet owner through skill-builders exercises. Skill Builders 1: Scouts will meet with Animal Center staff to discuss animal health and care. Scouts will use this information to prepare a care chart as instructed by the Girl Scout manual. Scouts will return to the Animal Center for a second visit to have their chart reviewed for accuracy and for suggested changes. Skill Builders 2: Scouts will meet with Animal Center staff to learn about the evolutionary history and anatomy of a pet of their choosing. Also, domestication history will be discussed as will the interdependent relationship of humans and domesticated animals. Scouts will summarize this information in a chart, short paper, or other tool to present to Animal Center staff for review or to other scouts and interested parties. Skill Builders 4: Scouts will meet with Animal Center staff to learn about the dietary and related needs of pets. They will also learn about the changes needs of pets as they age and what owners need to do to keep their animals healthy and well during every stage of life. Scouts will summarize this information in a chart, short paper, or other tool to present to Animal Center staff for review or to other scouts and interested parties. Skill Builders 5: Scouts will spend time reviewing city and county animal laws on www.knoxpets.org. Scouts will prepare questions for Animal Center staff about these laws. Animal Center staff will answer these questions and will discuss with scouts the laws designed to protect wild animals. Scouts will be asked to identify any weaknesses in the current laws and suggest new laws that might better help pets and wild animals. Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per scout Pet Badge Technology Activities Presentation Name: Technology 1, 3, 4, 5 Goals: Scouts work closely with Animal Center staff to understand the needs of companion animals and the responsibilities of being a pet owner through technology exercises. Technology 1: Scouts will meet with an Animal Center veterinarian to discuss companion animal health. Scouts will learn about vaccinations and other important procedures that pets require and the frequency they are needed. Three illnesses will be discussed in more detail. To encourage a more thoughtful discussion, scouts are encouraged to research this important topic on the internet or from another source before visiting with the Center's veterinarian. Technology 3: Scouts will meet with Animal Center staff to discuss pet safety as it applies to containment systems and tools. Although several devices will be discussed, two systems will be discussed in greater detail. Scouts will learn where to purchase the materials for each system, the cost of each system if purchased in our area, and the approximate difficulty in constructing them. To encourage a more thoughtful discussion, scouts are encouraged to research this life-saving topic on the internet or from another source before visiting with Animal Center staff. Technology 4: Scouts will meet with Animal Center staff to learn about the exercise needs of pets and how an owner can safely meet these needs. Human exercise needs will also be touched on as this need can often be met while exercising our pets. Tools for meeting this need for pets will be discussed as will the technological advancements in the area. To encourage a more thoughtful discussion, scouts are encouraged to research this important on the internet or from another source before visiting with Animal Center staff. Scouts are also encouraged to brainstorm about new devices that might be developed to make meeting this need for pets more efficient and fun. Technology 5: Scouts will meet with Animal Center staff to discuss the role of the Animal Center in reuniting lost pets with their owners. The concept of "stray" will be discussed as it relates to lost pets and the dangers facing stray animals will be reviewed. Technological advancements in reunited pets lost pets and owners will be discussed. Scouts will be expected to design a new tool for this purpose or write a short ad explaining how a current tool works. To encourage a more thoughtful discussion, scouts are encouraged to research this important on the internet or from another source before visiting with Animal Center staff. Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per scout Cadettes Silver Award Goals: Cadette scouts will work closely with the Animal Center's Humane Educator to earn their Silver Award. If the troop has not visited the Animal Center before, troop leaders are encouraged to schedule a visit and tour of the Animal Center. Scouts will be introduced to animal sheltering, the Animal Center's role in the community, and the importance of spay and neuter. The Humane Educator can brainstorm with the scouts to identify projects for their award. Silver Award projects must be done outside of the Animal Center facility and must follow the Girl Scout Silver Award guidelines. Program Objectives:
Suggested Programs:
Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per troop or per scout if working individually Limit: Class size is negotiable. Seniors (Ages 14-17 years and Grades 9-12) Seniors Gold Award Goals: Senior scouts will work closely with the Animal Center's Humane Educator to earn their Gold Award. If the scout has not visited the Animal Center before, parents are encouraged to schedule a visit and tour of the Animal Center. Scouts will be introduced to animal sheltering, the Animal Center's role in the community, and the importance of spay and neuter. The Humane Educator can brainstorm with the scout to identify projects for their award. Gold Award projects must be done outside of the Animal Center facility and must follow the Girl Scout Gold Award guidelines. Program Objectives:
Suggested Programs: Donation drives (Towel and blanket, stuffed animals, cardboard box, or other items from the Young-Williams Animal Center's Wish List). Toy making (see the Young-Williams Animal Center's Wish List for ideas) Fundraiser (bake sale, can recycling, flea market, etc.) Public relations program or campaign about pet overpopulation, pet care, or responsible pet ownership on Community Television of Knoxville Channel 12 An off-site project of their choosing. Date & Time: By appointment. Location: Young-Williams Animal Center Fee: $25 per scout Other Available Teaching Resources "Learning to Save Lives" This curriculum is one of the best tools for educating school children about responsible pet ownership. This curriculum is available to all Knox County schoolteachers. The Animal Center can modify a Center program to compliment the LtSL curriculum. To read more about LtSL, visit Knoxville News Sentinel LtSL Curriculum. If you are a teacher interested in adopting the LtSL curriculum, please email Alice Dollar, Director of Newspapers in Education for the Knoxville News Sentinel, or call her at 865-342-6113. Books Five to seven Scholastic Books titles (see list below) have been donated to the Animal Center and placed into "Traveling Trunks" for students in grades 3-8. Book titles, authors, and page counts are listed below by grade level. Teachers from all grades are welcome to borrow any titles. These books can be delivered to a teacher on the date of a scheduled program or teachers may check the books out directly from the Animal Center. Teachers may borrow titles for up to four weeks. Books in the Animal Center's Traveling Trunks Third Grade:
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade:
Sixth Grade:
Seventh Grade:
Eighth Grade:
Click Here for great links to humane education sites! |
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