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

Saturday, October 5th, 2024: Happy Hounds & Happy Humans with Dr. Karen Griffin
Time: 10AM - 11AM
Location: HSCC Classroom (142 Kindness Court, South Burlington VT)

The relationship you have with your dog equally involves two beings: you and your dog.  Relationships, even with our dogs, are complicated, but we can help!  We need to make sure that you both are feeling comfortable, safe, and are enjoying the relationship.

Join us on Saturday, October 5th with Dr. Karen Griffin, PhD to learn five components to creating a positive relationship with your dog:  body language, environment, agency and consent, positive reinforcement-based training, and expectations.  In this talk, you’ll discover why these components are so integral to a positive relationship, as well as tips for how to implement them so that you’ll be on your way to having a happy you and a happy dog! 

Register below:

Previous Seminars

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!

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. 

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.

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. 

March 10th, 2022: "HEART Wildlife: Wildlife Proofing Your Home!" 

Watch the recording HERE!

Are squirrels, raccoons, birds, and other wild animals winding up where they are not welcome? Learn how to humanely wildlife-proof your home or business from the kindhearted pros at HEART Wildlife Removal! 

May 12th, 2021: "Kids & Dogs: Best Friends?"

Watch the recording HERE!

Explore the relationship between two of our most beloved family members and learn how they can coexist happily and safely. Teaching kiddos how to respect a dog's space and care for them goes a long way in strengthening their bond, and can even help keep pets with their families. If you're looking to add a dog or child to your household, this just may be the perfect event for you!

July 14th, 2020: "Animal Transports: Behind the Scenes!"

Learn all about what goes into an animal transport, what HSCC does to ensure responsible medical protocols, why they are important to both the local community & those where the animals are coming from, and how transport saves more lives!