About the Helyn Kerr Humane Education Series

Helyn Kerr was a powerful force in promoting the humane treatment of animals and served on our volunteer Board from 2006 – 2014, and the Board Chair from 2012-2014. Sadly, Helyn passed away in August 2016 and we renamed our Best Friends University the Helyn Kerr Humane Education Series in her honor. Helyn’s life & work epitomized all that HSCC's humane education programs bring to others and her legacy of animal advocacy lives on through this free community series. Helyn & her husband David's two beautiful HSCC alums, Jackson & Carly, are the inspiration for the Helyn Kerr Humane Education Series logo. The logo is based upon a photo originally taken by HSCC's official photographer, Kelly Schulze of Mountain Dog Photgraphy.

 

The Helyn Kerr Humane Education Series offers free seminars on various humane education topics that are geared towards anyone interested in knowing more about their companion animals. Past seminars have focused on how dogs think and perceive the world, the latest in feline nutrition, our work in humane investigations, Vermont's animal cruelty laws, first aid for pets, and much more! 

Upcoming Seminars

Stay tuned for updates!

Previous Seminars

Sunday, May 21st, 2023: Kitten Season 101 - Bottle Babies & Beyond!

View the presentation HERE!

In this seminar, you’ll learn all there is to know about kitten season and neonatal kitten care. Our kitten experts will teach you how to identify kittens in need of help, what to do when you bring them home, common health issues and how to treat them, and more. We’ll also feature a hands-on demonstration with teeny tiny baby kittens, so you can learn how to handle them and bottle feed with confidence! Whether you’re a seasoned foster parent or just a cat-loving community member, this seminar will give you all the tools you need to help kittens in your community!

Sunday, April 2nd, 2023: Animal Welfare Laws & How to Help Animals in Your Community

View the presentation HERE and watch the recording HERE!

In this lecture, you will learn about laws pertaining to animal welfare in Vermont, as well as proactive and reactive methods to approach animal cruelty, neglect, and hoarding. We will cover what agencies are involved in these cases, including special concerns for livestock animals and wildlife. Finally, we will go over how you can get involved with your local DART teams and other hands-on approaches. 

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023: Woof! Dog Communication in the Human World with Deb Helfrich

Is a yawn always just a yawn? Why does a dog shake off even when it’s not wet? Can a growl actually be a good thing? Is a tail wag always a friendly invitation? This fun, informative multimedia presentation will demystify dog communication, reveal some common dog-human misunderstandings, and explore how dogs and humans relate to and work with, each other.

NO DOGS PERMITTED; this presentation is for humans only!

November 21st, 2022: Heart Wildlife: Wildlife Proofing Your Home! 

View the presentation HERE and watch the recording HERE!

Join HEART Wildlife Removal (Humane Eviction And Removal Team) and learn about how to live humanely with wildlife, how to help wildlife when they are in need and prevent them from moving into your home. We'll cover common topics, such as living humanly with black bear, how to know if a wildling needs to be rescued, resources for when finding a bat in your home and how to prevent wildlife from taking advantage of common areas of your home.

September 30th, 2022: THINK DOG! Humane Education Seminar

View the presentation HERE and watch the recording HERE!

Once you can get inside the mind of your dog, communication will become easier, teaching will be super fun, and your overall relationship will blossom. Whether you are struggling with a quirky canine or have a near-perfect pooch, learning how to "Think Dog" will benefit you and all the dogs you know. If you are interested in attending this seminar, please complete the form below! This seminar is free and open to all.