In the Pacific Northwest, we love our animals. Our furry companions are more than pets—they are members of the family. Animals have so much to teach us about unconditional love, loyalty and kindness, and many of us form bonds with animals during childhood that change our lives forever.
At OnPoint, we are also committed to advancing education in our communities. That is why we are supporting a unique educational program that provides opportunities for school-aged kids to learn about the humane treatment of animals. We’re giving $10,000 to the Oregon Humane Society’s Humane Education program. Through the program, OHS educators visit public and private schools to foster an environment of respect, responsibility and compassion for all animals.
Humane Educators Visit Classrooms
The program involves two humane educators who offer 45-minute presentations on a variety of age-appropriate topics, including safety around dogs, dogs with jobs and canine body language. They are each accompanied by therapy dogs to help bring the lessons to life. Humane Education Manager Rachel Gene says that for some students, the classroom visits are one of the first times they interact with an animal up close. The program gives students a safe and positive experience, helping to assuage any fears. For those students who are already committed animal lovers, it reinforces their passions and expands their knowledge and understanding. Teachers consistently praise the program for being fun, engaging and educational.
In 2018, the Humane Education program reached more than 14,000 people through classroom presentations, summer camps, shelter visits, after school clubs, contests and special events. The two OHS staff members visited 59 schools and 165 classrooms throughout the Portland metro area. This program is offered at no cost to schools, and all expenses are covered by OHS. OnPoint’s support of the program provides the opportunity to continue our commitment to education while incorporating the interests and passions of our members and employees.
Oregon Humane Society Impact
In 2018, more than 12,000 animals found their forever homes through the Oregon Humane Society. The organization also offers training and behavior programs to help animals stay with their families. More than 2,000 active volunteers and about 250 youth volunteers assist the organization with everything from administrative tasks to facilitating events.
We’ve been big fans of the OHS for some time. Both our members and employees tell us how much they love the organization. We sponsor the Doggie Dash, and our employees selected OHS as a recipient of a special donation to celebrate reaching our $5 billion asset milestone in 2017.
In September, a group of 13 OnPoint employees will volunteer for the Oregon Humane Society. These team members will learn more about the impact of the humane education program, as well as help with socializing dogs and cats. Interacting with humans is a key part of preparing animals for adoption.
This partnership with OHS is an extension of OnPoint’s ongoing commitment to education and the communities we call home. We were founded more than 85 years ago by a group of 16 schoolteachers, and we honor those roots with our continued support for educators and students through a number of programs and campaigns. Learn more about our community impact here.
