In person
Brightening Lives Animal Visits
Spending time with animals can support physical and mental well-being. The Brightening Lives Animal Visits program helps connect more people with the positive impact of human-animal interaction through meaningful, structured experiences with shelter animals.
The program is designed for community organizations that support youth and adults who may be experiencing mental health challenges, addiction, autism, disengagement or behavioural difficulties.
The program consists of three 2-hour sessions, with each session focusing on a different animal: dogs, cats or rabbits. The three sessions can be completed in a single day or spread out over multiple days, depending on the needs and availability of the organization.
Youth participants are given opportunities to build personal responsibility, empathy and self-esteem, while adult participants may take part in discussion-based therapeutic activities led by partner organization staff, with animal-related oversight provided by OHS staff.
The program also supports the well-being and adoptability of shelter animals through enrichment and socialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my organization eligible to participate in BLAV?
BLAV is intended for community organizations that support youth or adults who may be at risk, neurodivergent, justice-involved, experiencing addiction, facing behavioural challenges, or benefiting from additional social and emotional support.
What if my organization doesn’t meet the requirements for BLAV?
If BLAV is not the right fit for your organization, there may be other OHS programs that better suit your group’s needs. These may include:
- Community Humane Education presentations
- School Humane Education presentations
- Behind-the-Scenes shelter tours
- Other community or youth programming offered by the OHS
Please contact outreach@ottawahumane.ca if you are unsure which program is the best fit for your group.
Do we have to participate in all three sessions?
No. Organizations may choose to participate in one, two or all three sessions. The OHS recommends completing all three sessions where possible to provide participants with a broader experience. Let us know in the registration form if your group would need a single-session model.
How can the three sessions be scheduled?
After you submit the request form, we’ll contact you with next steps. We offer flexible scheduling between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and will work with your organization to find suitable session times.
Is there a cost to participate?
BLAV is available to eligible community organizations free of charge. We happily accept donations, both financial and in-kind. For in-kind donation ideas, please visit our wish list.
What is expected from partner organization staff?
A staff member from the partner organization must remain with participants throughout the session and support participant supervision and engagement.
For adult groups taking part in discussion-based therapeutic activities, these discussions must be facilitated by partner organization staff. OHS staff will provide animal-related oversight.
What happens if we need to cancel or reschedule?
If you need to cancel an upcoming session, please contact the coordinator: outreach at outreach@ottawahumane.ca as soon as possible. Rescheduling is subject to availability.
The OHS reserves the right to cancel a session at its discretion. If this occurs, the coordinator: outreach will contact the partner organization directly.