Humane Educators of Texas

Today's class is Dotting T's & Crossing I's: SOPs, SOGs, MOUs, and the Rest of the Alphabet!

Let's be honest. Policies, procedures, and agreements are not always the most exciting topic. But when things go sideways, you'll be glad you have them.

This class takes a practical look at the documents that keep organizations running smoothly and protect staff, agencies, and the communities they serve. We will break down the differences between SOPs, SOGs, MOUs, and other important documents, discuss why they matter, and help students develop tools they can take back to their own organizations.

Whether you are building policies from scratch, updating outdated procedures, or trying to figure out what all those acronyms actually mean, this class is packed with information you can put to work immediately.

Because while everyone loves investigating cases, rescuing animals, and helping the public, good paperwork is often what saves the day when the questions start flying.

Time to dive into the alphabet soup!

Today's class is Local Rabies Control Authority!

This essential training is designed for anyone currently serving as an LRCA or preparing to take on this critical role within their jurisdiction. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of Texas rabies laws, quarantine requirements, bite investigations, public health responsibilities, and the many duties that come with serving as a Local Rabies Control Authority.

We're excited to report that this class is completely sold out! Thank you to everyone who registered.

Did you know? This course is also TCOLE approved, making it a great training opportunity for law enforcement professionals who work alongside animal services and public health officials.

We look forward to spending the day with a fantastic group of students dedicated to protecting both people and animals in their communities.

We are launching a new campaign on compassion fatigue and burnout among animal welfare professionals in conjunction with a master's capstone project, and we need your input. To better understand where we sit as a career, what is better than getting information directly from you? Please follow this link to fill out the questionnaire if you would like to be a part of this movement. Stay tuned for more.

Questionnaire: https://forms.gle/DiVP5ueuvKKN2S4D9

Today is the day for EXOTICS!! We are excited to have Kati with BEARS Etc. here today along with "Gatsby" the golden and "Willow Monster" the ....well...monster!

Kati and crew are here for Exotic Animal Recognition and Handling, a 3 part class covering all the things!

Think your next animal call will be a dog or cat? Think again.

As the exotic pet trade continues to explode across the U.S., animal control officers, humane investigators, and rescue professionals are increasingly encountering everything from Servals and Tegus to hybrid cats, wolfdogs, and even bears!

🐆 Servals, Tegus, and Bears, Oh My! (4 Hours)
Learn the basics of exotic animal care, handling, resources, and response protocols. What do you do when that exotic animal call comes in? Who do you call? What supplies do you need? We'll help you prepare.

🏃‍♀️ Book II OZ: Operations and Zeal (2 Hours)
Get out of your seat and into the action! Participate in a realistic exotic animal containment simulation and build confidence using practical tools and techniques for safe captures.

🐺 Hybrids: What's the Mix-Up? (2 Hours)
Dive into the fascinating world of hybrid animals, including Bengal cats, Savannah cats, wolf hybrids, coyote hybrids, and more. Learn phenotyping skills and how to identify these increasingly common animals.

💡 Gain practical knowledge.
🛠️ Build field-ready skills.
🤝 Connect with experts and resources.
🐾 Be prepared for the unexpected.

Because when the call comes in for a loose Tegu, a Serval, or something even more unusual... you'll know exactly what to do.

Keep an eye on our socials and website for updates on when this class will be back!

☀️🕶️ SUMMER SWAG IS HERE! 🕶️☀️

We're excited to unveil our new Humane Educators of Texas sunglasses! 😎 You'll find them at conferences and training events throughout the summer as we connect with animal control officers, law enforcement professionals, and industry partners across Texas.

Summer special - Buy something from our online store and we will throw in a pair of glasses!!

www.humaneeducatorsoftexas.com/online-store

Looking to enhance your professional development this summer? Now is the perfect time to register for one of our upcoming training courses designed specifically for animal control and law enforcement professionals.

✅ Industry-focused instruction
✅ Practical, real-world applications
✅ Training that supports safer communities and improved animal welfare outcomes

📅 Summer classes are filling quickly—reserve your spot today!

Just a quick reminder that Kelly and Tabitha are still out of the office and on the road teaching classes until next week!

We may be a little slower to respond than usual while traveling and teaching, but we are still checking messages and emails as we can throughout the week. Email continues to be the best way to reach us during this time.

Our wonderful administrative assistant Emma is still holding down the fort and can help with registrations, store orders, and general questions if you call the office.

Thank you all for your patience and support while we are out educating animal welfare professionals across Texas!

Kelly and Tabitha will be out of the office this week teaching classes and traveling.

Thankfully, our amazing administrative assistant Emma will be holding down the fort while we are away. The best way to reach us during this time will be by email, but you can also call the office and Emma will be happy to assist with class registrations, store orders, and general questions.

We appreciate everyone’s patience while we are on the road and helping educate animal welfare professionals all around.

Our final class this week in Midland is Introduction to Animal Behavior!

Understanding animal behavior is one of the most important skills anyone working with animals can develop. In this class, we will be covering the basics of dog and cat behavior, including body language, communication signals, stress indicators, fear responses, and common behavioral patterns.

Students will learn how to better recognize what an animal may be thinking or feeling based on posture, facial expressions, movement, vocalizations, and interactions with people and other animals. We will also discuss how to safely and effectively navigate different behaviors, reduce stress during interactions, and help create safer outcomes for both animals and people.

Whether you work in animal control, sheltering, rescue, veterinary medicine, or simply want a stronger understanding of animal behavior, this class provides a great foundation for building confidence and improving animal handling skills.

Today’s class is Building and Leading an Effective Team!

Strong teams do not happen by accident. They are built through communication, trust, accountability, and leadership that is willing to grow and adapt. This class is designed for all levels of leadership, whether you are a new supervisor, experienced manager, director, team lead, or FTO.

Throughout the class, we will be discussing leadership styles, communication strategies, conflict resolution, team dynamics, mentorship, motivation, and ways to create a healthy and productive workplace culture. We will also focus on practical, real-world challenges leaders face every day and discuss tools that can help strengthen teams and improve morale.

No matter what title you hold, leadership matters. Great leaders help create great teams, and great teams make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.