Humane Teens
Explore Your Love for Animals
The Arizona Humane Society’s Humane Teens program is a unique youth leadership program for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 who are interested in animal welfare.
Becoming a Humane Teen is a special commitment to the Arizona Humane Society that requires 24 hours of service within a school semester. Humane Teens will:
- Receive training in animal handling skills
- Help lead youth programs and presentations
- Assist with the daily care of exotic animals and homeless pets
- Gain mentorship, leadership and career discovery experience
- Accrue service hours
Registration Process
Be sure that all application materials, including letters of recommendation, have been submitted. As entry into the Humane Teens program is competitive, late applicants are unable to be considered. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Insider Tips
Reduce stress by:
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- Submitting your letters of recommendation along with your application in ACTIVE.
- Plan ahead and apply early. Due dates always have a bad habit of sneaking up on the best of us.
- The Humane Teens supervisor will email letting you know next steps, confirming items received, and alerting to to any items missing.
- Breathe and know that you’ve got this!
Note: New Applicants should use the “Application” cart only as the “Payment & Registration” cart is reserved for accepted Humane Teens.
Spring Registration Opens In January!
We are no longer accepting application for the Fall Semester.
Please check back in January if interested in applying for the Spring 2025 Humane Teen Semester!
Learn More About the Humane Teens Program
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
- Requirements
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- Must be between the ages of 14 and 17 years old
- Must complete the online application
- Must submit two reference letters
- If application is accepted, must complete required interview process
- If formally accepted into the program following the interview, must attend orientation
- There is a $195 participation fee which each Humane Teen must provide after acceptance into the program
- Scholarship information is available below
- Application Tips
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As you prepare your application, here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
We know you’re here because you love animals. We do too! But what we’re most curious to hear about is what sets you apart:
- What are you looking to learn?
- How do you think this program will help you long term?
- Is there a particular life experience that allowed you to realize you wanted animals to be a large part of your life?
- What are you able to bring to this program that makes you a great fit?
At AHS, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, and we look forward to hearing why you would like to be part of Humane Teens.
We are looking to hear from YOU, the teen! While we recognize that the adults in your life are excited for you, it is important that you fill out the application yourself. Additionally, if you have questions about the program, please reach out to us yourself. Humane Teens is a great first step into the workforce. We are looking for teens interested in developing life skills like accountability, appropriate communication and ambition.
It’s okay for your application to not be perfect. In fact, we welcome your mistakes. We understand that this may be the first time you’ve applied for a program like this. Please know that we do not expect you to have a full resume ready to submit—we anticipate this being the start of what is bound to be an amazing resume you’ll develop in the years to come.
Know that this program (and every career with animals) is more than just petting puppies and kittens—it is hard work! We clean pets and their spaces, train others and educate the community about our lifesaving work.
Once the application becomes available, start your application earlier than you need. This will make sure you have time to review your first draft after a few days and think things through. Waiting until the last minute can add on unnecessary pressure that can make this process scarier than it needs to be. Take a deep breath and submit it when you’re ready.
Thankful for Our Partner
We are so grateful to Thunderbirds Charities for their support of our Humane Teens program.