Recently, I joined forces with Doggone Safe, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to dog bite prevention through education. I became a Licensed Presenter and participated in an international effort to educate school-aged children during Dog Bite Prevention Week. My first presentation was at my childrens’ elementary school, were I spoke to over 100 kids. The positive feedback that I received from the kids, teachers and staff was inspiring. Next year, I hope to reach out to many more schools and spread the word about dog safety. Below is a press release submitted by Doggone Safe.
CAMPBELLVILLE, ON, June 08, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ — Presenters around the world from non-profit Doggone Safe educated more than 16,000 children about dog safety during Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 15-21, 2011). Events took place in eight countries, seven Canadian provinces and twenty six US states.
Half of all children are bitten by a dog and most of the time the biter is the family dog or another dog known to the child. Dog bites can be emotionally and physically scarring for a child and can cost the dog his life. “Dog bites are preventable and we are very proud of the efforts of all our presenters as they work hard during Dog Bite Prevention Week and all year doing community education to help reduce the risk of dog bites to children”, said Joan Orr, president and co-founder of Doggone Safe.
The Be a Tree program is a dog bite prevention presentation for school children. Children learn that a happy dog pants and wags his tail loosely, while an anxious dog may show a half moon of white in his eye, yawn, lick his lips or turn away. A dog that does not want to meet them has his mouth closed and may hold his tail and body stiff, or wag his tail slowly. They learn how to let a dog approach them and how to pet it safely, after asking permission. They learn to avoid dangerous situations with dogs and how to Be a Tree if a strange dog approaches them or any dog is bothering them. To Be a Tree they stop, fold their branches (hands clasped in front), watch their roots grow (look at their feet) and count their breaths in their head until help comes or the dog goes away. The Be a Tree program is fun and interactive with a goal to empower and not to frighten children.
Diane Kamitakahara, principal of Earl Grey School in Calgary Alberta said, “Thanks so much for the presentations. They were great and very well received. One of our teacher’s daughters who is in grade 1 here had an encounter with an excited pit bull at the dog park the weekend after your presentation. She did exactly like you instructed and the dog backed off and went away. Her mom was amazed.”
For more information about Doggone Safe, to become a sponsor, to book a presentation for your school or to become a presenter, please visit the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com.
About Doggone Safe
Doggone Safe is a non-profit corporation registered in Canada and Ontario, and in the US is a 501(c)(3) registered charity. Doggone Safe is dedicated to dog bite prevention through education and dog bite victim support. Doggone Safe has members from around the world. Educational programs offered by Doggone Safe are Be a Tree (for school-aged children), and online courses about dog body language and occupational dog bite prevention.
Visit us at www.doggonesafe.com.
