Peace. Friendship. Dogs
Join us for an engaging and heartwarming lecture dedicated to understanding dogs — their emotions, their body language, and the subtle ways they communicate reconciliation and peace. Alongside this educational session, there will be a charity collection of essential items for dogs in need, which will later be delivered to the “Happy Friend” animal shelter.
Date: 13 November 2025
Time: 19:00
Location: Pokrovsky Bulvar 11, Higher School of Economics
(Lecture hall to be announced in telegram channel outreach hse)
In today’s world, misinformation about dogs and their behaviour is widespread. Many people misinterpret dogs’ signals, which can lead to unnecessary fear, misunderstanding, or even harmful interactions. This lecture aims to clear up those misconceptions and replace myths with scientifically grounded knowledge.
During the session, Ekaterina Usova will explain how dogs communicate, what their body language means, and how to recognize their signs of reconciliation — gestures that dogs use to defuse tension, express peace, and maintain social harmony.
Understanding these signals can make daily life with your own pet easier and more fulfilling. It also helps when meeting unfamiliar dogs in parks, shelters, or public spaces, allowing for safer and more empathetic communication. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner, an experienced handler, or simply someone who loves animals, this lecture will offer valuable insights and practical tools for deepening your understanding of dogs.
By the end of the lecture, you’ll start to “speak the language of dogs” — learning not only to interpret their behaviour but also to respond in ways that foster trust, respect, and companionship.
Expert Speaker — Ekaterina Usova
(Telegram channel “Переводчик с собачьего”)
Ekaterina Usova is a professional cynologist and behavioural specialist with a strong academic background in animal psychology. She studied at the K.I. Skryabin Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology, completing her education in cynology in 2020. Since 2019, she has been working as a private cynologist and behaviour correction expert in leading cynological centres across Moscow.
Ekaterina describes her mission in her own words: “I believe there are no stupid or untrainable dogs — and my practice has proven this countless times. In my work, I focus on the needs of both the dog and the owner. I don’t just help solve behavioural problems; I strive to improve the dog’s overall quality of life and strengthen its emotional connection with its human. You can think of me as a translator between you and your dog. My goal is to help owners understand their pets and express their intentions in a way that dogs can truly comprehend.”
Ekaterina is the author and host of the “Dog Translator” podcast and the television program “My Dog from the Shelter” on the Zoo TV channel. She lectures for the RVBA Behavioral Medicine Community and participates in several major projects, including Moscow Longevity, Moscow Parks, and Tail Marathon. In 2025, she was an invited speaker at Yandex’s “Pets & Friends Day” event, where she shared her expertise on humane and evidence-based approaches to dog training.
HSE Outreach Representative Speaker — Mishel Abbud
(Representative of the Dog Shelters Department, HSE Outreach)
The second part of the event will feature Mishel Abbud, a dedicated volunteer and active member of the HSE Outreach organization. Mishel regularly volunteers at dog shelters, fosters animals, and assists in their rehabilitation and adoption. Through her work, she has gained deep insight into the emotional lives of shelter dogs and the challenges they face before finding their forever homes.
Mishel will share her personal experience of working with shelters and talk about how HSE Outreach organizes volunteer trips, supports shelter staff, and builds bridges between students and animal welfare initiatives. She will also explain how anyone can contribute — whether through hands-on volunteering, donations, or raising awareness.
The lecture will last approximately one hour, followed by a Q&A session where participants can ask the speakers questions about training, volunteering, or behavioural psychology.
Charity Collection
In conjunction with the lecture, we are holding a charity collection of supplies for the “Happy Friend” shelter in Podolsk. This shelter is home to over 1,500 dogs and cats, many of whom lack basic necessities. Your contributions will directly improve their lives.
Items needed:
• Dog and cat food
• Toys (in good condition)
• Collars, leashes, and harnesses (for medium and large dogs, and for cats)
• Old but clean bedding
• Medicine for animals
Every donated item matters. Toys bring joy and comfort to puppies who rarely get to play. Ammunition — such as harnesses and leashes — is always in short supply, especially for cats that need them for adoption events. Bedding helps make kennels warmer during the cold months and provides shade and comfort in summer.
About HSE Outreach
This event is organized by HSE Outreach, a student-led organization dedicated to charitable initiatives and community support. The group regularly arranges visits to orphanages, animal shelters, and homes for the elderly, always guided by one core principle: helping those who cannot help themselves.
HSE Outreach aims to unite students and volunteers who believe that compassion, education, and small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in society.
We warmly invite everyone — students, faculty, dog owners, animal lovers, and anyone simply curious about canine behaviour — to join us for this special event. Learn something new, do something good, and become part of a community that values understanding and empathy for all living beings.
We’ll be happy to see you there!
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