Humane Handling Institute
Developing Confident and Humane Livestock Handlers
Proudly strengthening the skill level of industry employees and improving consumer trust in meat processing establishments of all sizes. At the Humane Handling Institute (HHI), we train meat industry professionals, maintenance personnel, and stunner operators to handle animals with care, how to perform stunning equipment maintenance, and how to ensure quick, effective stunning.
Join us for a two-day workshop!
Work alongside experienced and caring experts in a comfortable, judgement-free environment. Come away with sharpened skills, more confidence and a deeper understanding of the “hows” and “whys” of humane handling, stunning and slaughter. Workshop descriptions and dates listed below.
Attend for FREE, for a limited time, tuition support and reimbursement are available to cover workshop fees thanks to support from the Wis. Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the American Meat Science Association (AMSA.) Check out the simple process to take advantage of this opportunity under Cost and Location.
Outcomes:
- Increased worker and animal safety
- Improved handling and stunning efficiencies
- Prevent downtime due to regulatory actions
Effective and Humane Restraint and Stunning
- Repair and maintain stunning equipment
- Hands-on skills practice (no experience necessary)
- Problem-solve challenging scenarios
Successful stunning is crucial for preventing regulatory consequences, safeguarding animal welfare, and the mental wellbeing of employees. In this workshop, trainees will complete hands-on activities related to common animal handling challenges, humane restraint, head anatomy, identifying the optimal placement of a stun, stunning equipment maintenance and more.
Workshops run Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days.
Upcoming Dates:
- Sept. 19-20
- Oct. 10-11
- Oct. 31-Nov. 1
- Nov. 7-8
Building a Robust Systematic Approach to Animal Welfare
- Create a collection of establishment-specific protocols and documentation
- Leave with a "robust ready" humane handling plan
Trainees will identify any areas in their facility that have potential for animal excitement, discomfort, or accidental injury and then create a written humane handling program to comply with the Humane Slaughter Act, proactively mitigate risk, and promote animal welfare. Trainees will leave this workshop with a complete collection of documents and training materials specific to their slaughter establishment.
Workshops run Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days.
Upcoming Dates:
- Oct. 24-25
The program will provide as much hands-on experience as possible for trainees. Workshop attendees include barn supervisors and management personnel, livestock handlers, stunner operators, maintenance personnel, transporters, livestock market employees, and managers from slaughter establishments of all sizes.
Fee:
$1,000 per workshop participant*, includes lunch and morning refreshments.
*For a limited time, most establishments qualify for FREE tuition through grants from DATCP and AMSA. No workshop fees are paid out of pocket. Sign up online, by phone, or by email. HHI will confirm if you qualify for one of our tuition reimbursement programs. Those who do not qualify will have the option to pay the $1000 workshop fee or cancel. We manage all the paperwork on our end, all you need to do is attend the workshop and cover your own travel expenses. Kinder Ground is providing travel reimbursement for out-of-state attendees up to $500. Sign up to confirm if you qualify.
Location:
UWRF Campus, specific information for each session will be shared with participants ahead of time.
Cancellation/withdrawal: Registrant can send a qualified substitute. Up to 10 calendar days prior to the start date, registrant can transfer to a different date, or cancel without penalty, cancellations received fewer than 10 days before the start of their workshop will be invoiced $50 to cover meals and administrative expenses.
UW-River Falls is located 40 miles from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The closest hotel to campus is the Radisson Hotel River Falls. Accommodations are not included in the registration and should be made separately. You may qualify for a travel expense grant from Kinder Ground, ask us how.
The City of River Falls is a thriving and growing community located east of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in northwestern Wisconsin. With a population of 16,183 residents and 5,862 college students, the City offers 26 parks, miles of hiking and biking trails along the Kinnikinnic River and a vibrant downtown. There are restaurants, shops, grocery stores and gas stations located a safe and walkable distance from campus.
If you require additional assistance or have questions regarding your registration, please email: hhi@uwrf.edu
Tuition reimbursement will be offered for a limited time for those who enroll in:
- Effective and Humane Restraint and Stunning
- Building a Robust Systematic Approach to Animal Welfare
We make it super easy. See information under Cost and Location to learn how it works.
"Meat" the Team
Kurt Vogel
Ph.D., Program Director
Professor of Livestock Welfare and Behavior, a go-to resource for humane livestock handling and stunning in the industry for many years.
Ashlynn Kirk, Program Manager
Angela Whitaker, Outreach Program Manager
Karly Anderson, Ph.D., Scientist and Trainer
In the News
- Livestock Receiving and Lairage
- Stunning Equipment Operation and Maintenance
Trainees have the option of selecting the workshops that fit their needs or completing the entire series of workshops and an additional project for comprehensive certification. Trainees that complete the series and project will receive a certificate in humane handling and stunning and the limited rights to utilize the program logo in marketing and promotional materials.
One-day-long refresher training workshops will also be developed to accompany each of the workshops.
Contact Us
Humane Handling Institute
hhi@uwrf.edu
715-425-4987