What is Humane Education?
Meet our Educators
What is Humane Education?
Humane education teaches people how to accept and fulfill their responsibilities to companion animals, such as cats and dogs, and all forms of animal life. It explains the consequences of irresponsible behavior and encourages people to see the value of all living things.
Over the past few decades, our society has become increasingly aware of the connections between animal abuse and violence against people. Therefore, the need to promote kindness and empathy through effective humane education in our communities is greater than ever. Furthermore, encouraging a deeper consideration of the humane choices available to us in our daily lives will lessen animal suffering and create a more peaceful world.
With the right knowledge and resources, anyone can become a humane educator. Many humane educators work on a volunteer basis, often in partnership with a local animal shelter. Other humane educators represent animal welfare charities. Schoolteachers, camp counselors, scout leaders, and even parents can include humane learning in their own classrooms, groups, and at home. To request a free NHES presentation at your school, visit our program request page.
- Sound educational methods
- Clear goals and objectives
- Accurate information
- An atmosphere of openness and acceptance
- Opportunities for critical thinking
Request a copy here of “Teaching Kindness; A Handbook for Offering Humane Education Programs” to get started offering humane learning activities in your classroom, club, or youth organization.
Megan Hessenberger
Megan has had the privilege of being around animals all her life and knows the joy and love they bring. She is honored to call Anna C. Briggs, the founder of The National Humane Education Society, her great- grandmother. She has been in the education field for over ten years with a focus on Early Childhood Education. Megan enjoys the scenic mountains of West Virginia and now lives in the lovely “Mountain State” with her husband, dogs, and family.
Have a question for our humane educators? Send your questions, comments, and feedback to education@nhes.org.
Rebecca Balcom
Rebecca had the great pleasure of joining NHES’s team as a Humane Educator at the beginning of 2024. Her background is in arts education in her hometown of Winchester, Virginia. The opportunity to join this staff has been an incredible honor for her; the mission of the NHES has been close to her heart since adopting a rehabilitated puppy named Nita from NHES’s animal care facility, the Briggs Animal Adoption Center, in 2021. Nita is now Chloe and has been loving life being the couch potato of the office and going to visit local schools as an ambassador dog!