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
Saturday 15 April, 2023
Sunday 16 April, 2023
With increasing numbers of pets entering shelters in need of proactive behavior care, there is an urgent need for comprehensive, reinforcement-based behavior intervention at the individual animal level beyond the shelter environment. This session will help your organization develop behavior case management solutions for pets - yes, not just dogs! - in need through professional trainer foster recruitment.
Monday 17 April, 2023
This presentation will discuss reputation management for the social media marketing presence for animal welfare organizations. As social media managers regularly tackle difficult topics, it is important to create a community where followers feel free to express themselves in positive discussions. Attendees will learn how to manage a consistent brand voice across platforms, create community engagement guidelines, and how to diffuse issues with goo...