Heidi Colonna
Hi! I’m a longtime animal welfare professional focusing on youth education and engagement. In my role with Kind News magazine, I write stories for grades K-6 students about everything from humane role models and rescues, to behavior, to sheltering trends. I’ve worked with children of all ages in outreach, teaching, and student mentoring positions.
Before joining RedRover, I served as student outreach director and curriculum manager for The HSUS as well as board member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators. I’ve written hundreds of articles for publications including Animal Sheltering, All Animals, Humane Education Quarterly, NACA News, and Humane Activist. I'm a member of the APHE and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and published Canis magicus, a middle grade novel inspired by the dogs of my childhood and Dear Gretchen, a pet loss grief memoir. I studied coyote policy and animals in literature at the Tufts Center for Animals & Public Policy and animal science at UMass.
It all started with a little shepherd mix named Gretchen found at the Springfield MSPCA. She inspired my work as a shelter volunteer, veterinary technician, and MSPCA project coordinator before moving to youth education. I live in western Mass with my husband, sons, and howling Husky mix.
Please tell me your story ideas for Kind News and let's talk about bringing it to your schools!
Sessions in which Heidi Colonna attends
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Grand Ball Room
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Grand Ball Room
Talk
B.J. Rogers, Emancipet (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Alyssa Krieger, MSPCA (Speaker)
Alison Bremmer, MSPCA at Nevins Farm (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Augusta O'Reilly, Univ. of Tennessee-Knoxville: Program for Pet Health Equity (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Dr. Margaret Slater DVM, ASPCA (Speaker)
Radisson Hotel Nashua - Grand Ballroom
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Grand Ball Room
Talk
Brad Shear CAWA, Potter League for Animals (Speaker)
Alison Kleibor, Wisconsin Humane Society (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Heather Kalman, American Pets Alive (Speaker)
Amanda Audia, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Jennifer Toussaint, Animal Welfare League of Arlington (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Dr. Edward Schettino, Animal Rescue League of Boston (Speaker)
Sam Fincke, Animal Rescue League of Boston (Speaker)
Radisson Hotel Nashua - Grand Ballroom
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Panel
Heather Kalman, American Pets Alive (Speaker)
Amanda Audia, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track C - Bristol
Talk
Nikkie Wargo-Catall, Lollypop Farm (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track A - Ocean
Talk
Katenna Jones, Jones Animal Behavior (Speaker)
Erika Lessa, Cooperation Canine (Speaker)
Crowne Plaza Warwick - Track B - Patriots
Panel
Michelle Harvanek, Northeast Animal Shelter (Speaker)
Kate Meghji, Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County (Speaker)
Michael Keiley, MSPCA-Angell (Speaker)
Becca Boronat MV, CAWA, Charleston Animal Society (Speaker)