ARF | School Programs

Humane Education Programs for Schools

ARF All Stars® builds compassion and respect for both animals and people. Interactive lessons are tailored to specific grade levels from preschool to middle school.

For more information, please contact us or phone (925) 296-3147. FREE for qualifying schools.

Download a flyer to share with your school.

Preschool ARF All Stars®

ARF's preschool programs take a gentle, playful approach to humane education.

Introduce the wonderful world of animals to children 3-5 by bringing your class to ARF.

Learning Compassion Tour
60-minute tour of ARF’s Adoption Center includes a trip to the Mini Vet Clinic and Pet Supply Store, and a visit with a Pet Hug Pack therapy dog.
Cost: $75 per class*

*Fees are based on a maximum of 25 preschoolers per class

Grades K-5 ARF All Stars®

ARF's elementary school programs blend humane education with character education and service learning

Through classroom programs, assemblies and docent-led tours, students learn about shelter animals, responsible pet guardianship, and animal safety.

One-Day Classroom Program
Classroom programs are 45 minutes long and satisfy character education and Common Core standards. Your class will “adopt” a plush animal to help foster responsibility and compassion. This program includes a lesson planning guide for future instruction.
Two-Day Classroom Program*
One-day program plus student activity booklets, compassion-building exercise, and Animal Senses Experience.
*Multi-day sessions are available for an additional fee.

Assemblies
45-minute presentations can be customized to meet the needs of your students. Topics include volunteerism, dog safety, the human/animal bond, and the role of therapy & service animals.
Learning Compassion Tour
ARF's 90-minute tour makes the perfect field trip. Through interactive lessons and activities, students experience the world of shelter animals while learning about compassion, respect, safety and responsible pet care. Classes visit ARF’s Adoption Center and greet a Pet Hug Pack therapy dog, Tours can accommodate up to 65 students.

Thanks to grant funding, ARF's one-day programs are FREE to Contra Costa County Public Schools. Scholarships may be available for bus fees.

Grades 6-8 ARF All Stars®

ARF's assemblies and classroom programs for middle schools inspire compassion for all living creatures while teaching responsibility and respect.

By cultivating the natural affinity between animals and children, students learn the power of kindness, empathy and tolerance. All programs satisfy character education and Common Core standards. One-day and multi-day programs are available.

By cultivating the natural affinity between animals and children, students learn the power of kindness, empathy and tolerance.

All programs satisfy character education and Common Core standards. One-day and multi-day programs are available. Thanks to grant funding, ARF's one day programs are FREE to Contra Costa County Public Schools.

Support ARF's Educational Fund

Humane Education Fund