May 2005
Volume 2 Issue 5
A non-profit organization dedicated to Dog Bite Prevention
Doggone Safe is the first federally incorporated non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to dog bite prevention education and victim support. Doggone Safe provides services in Canada, the US and around the world through its website and network of volunteers.
In This Issue Vet Techs in Saskatchewan Earn CE Credits for Be a Tree Program
Member Update
New Product - Dogs & Storks CD
Case File - Words from a Victim's Mom
Be a Tree Program Follow-up Suggestions
Doggone Safe in Australia
Upcoming Events
Our Sponsors
Join the Dog Bite Victim Support Group - this is a forum for families of child dog bite victims to talk about their experiences and concerns, learn from and support each other.
Vet Techs in Saskatchewan Earn CE Credits for Be a Tree Program...
Excerpt from a letter written by Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association president Dr. Tracy Fisher published in the May issue of the SVMA newsletter...
"While we all agree dog bites are a serious problem, there has been little effort to date trying to educate the public on dog bite prevention. I believe dog safety education for everyone can have a dramatic effect on the number and severity of dog bites. There is a non-profit organization based out of Ontario called Doggone Safe whose mandate is to promote dog safety. They have excellent information on their website and I encourage all members to read this material. Doggone Safe has also developed a classroom program for schools. The program is designed for Grades 1 through 4 and is an excellent way to teach children dog safety. Our goal is to eventually have all children in Saskatchewan exposed to this material by the time they reach Grade 4. I know some of you are wondering what kind of difference that will make. Think of this: how many of you know what to do if you catch on fire? Most people will respond automatically to stop-drop-and roll. This is a result of a firefighter coming into your school when you were in elementary school and delivering that message. Now think of this- how many of you know what to do if a strange dog comes running up to you? How many people do you think would stand still like a tree, or curl up like a rock on the ground? How many do you think would try running away screaming for help? Children are far more likely to be bitten by a dog than they are to catch on fire!
The SVMA Public Relations committee is developing a dog bite safety program that includes a teachers kit with pictures and handouts as well as the video “Dogs Cats and Kids” for those of you who would rather show that. It is our intention to provide a copy of the video to every clinic in Saskatchewan. We will also have several copies of the teachers’ kit available for loan through the SVMA office. The public relations committee will be organizing a number of regional meetings in the spring to further explain the program and how it works. We have partnered with the SAVT to help deliver this program. The idea is for veterinarians to pay their technicians for their time to go into schools and deliver the program. The technicians would also get two hours of CE for every day of presentations they do. We would encourage our members to do some of the presentations as it is a great way of promoting a positive image for the profession and it is a lot of fun. There will be handouts available on the SVMA website for members to download, put their clinic information on and pass on to their clients. We also encourage members to discuss these issues with all dog owners and dog clubs. There will be a link on our website to the Doggone Safe site shortly. They have a number of excellent brochures available at cost from their organization.
I realize this is a large task, but I believe it is one we can accomplish and a very important one. It is a way our members can promote the profession in a positive manner to the public at large and make a difference. It is my sincere hope everyone will participate."
Ontario Veterinary technicians can also earn CE credits by presenting the Be a Tree program. Read press release.
Member Update...
Join Doggone Safe and become part of a growing movement of professionals dedicated to dog bite prevention education. Get a free calendar when you join - while supplies last.
The Member section of the website is on-line at long last! If you are a Doggone Safe member and have not received your password - please send an email and your password will be sent to you.
Topics covered on the member page are:
Members-only Yahoo discussion group for presenters - discuss presentations issues with other members and program creators
Logo Usage - download member logo versions for use in print and on on-line
Member wall certificate - download the member wall certificate that you can personalize and print
Sponsorship Proposal - view the Doggone Safe sponsorship program description
Educational Give-Away Materials - order free materials to give away at your presentations or public events
Send us information about any community events you will be attending so that we can include these in the newsletter and on the website.
New Product - Dogs & Storks CD...
Doggone Safe is pleased to feature an exciting new product in the web store - Dogs & Storks CD. This is a comprehensive CD created by Doggone Safe US VP Jennifer Shryock. The CD provides photos, information and exercises to help prepare the family dog for life with a new baby in the house. This is a must-have resource for expectant and new parents and grandparents who have a dog in the family.
Case File - Words from a Victim's Mom...
This month's case file was kindly provided by Kerry Potter-Kotecki - Doggone Safe New York Co-ordinator
I came across the doggone safe website some time after my daughter was mauled by a pack of dogs in our yard. It took a while before I decided to order the "Be a Tree" kit. After carefully examining the contents, I decided to present it to my daughters class. I was elated at the positive response from the children and teachers! It feels wonderful to be able to share and teach the dog bite prevention tools! In addition to feeling confident with the information provided by its creators.
Prior to my daughters attack, I didn't think much at all about dangerous dogs. Just after one presentation, I became aware of so many "close calls" other children have experienced as well as bites. I sincerely recommend becoming involved in educating our children in bite prevention. As victims we can make a difference in the future safety of others!
Be a Tree Program Follow Up Suggestions...
Doggone Safe US VP Jennifer Shryock has had great success with conducting Be a Tree presentations in two parts. If you have the time to make follow up visits, this will make an even greater impression on the students. Here is how Jen does it...
Present to large group (several classes together) one week. Present only the presentation part of the Be a Tree Program.
Return a week later to individual classes and do group work and refresh.
Activity for Grades 2 and up
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Ask the kids to demonstrate the first tool if they remember it. (they all get up and be a tree!) What a great rush! J They remember!
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Ask if they had used this tool since your last visit.
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Ask them to raise their paw if they can name another tool. (Once tool is identified place the tool card at the front of the room on display)
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Walk around and let one kid pick a skit from the cards. That child picks another kid to read the card and pick actors. Tool box skits
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Simon says
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Pair up and be doggie detectives. 1 student holds a card (from doggonecrazy) and describes clues of the dog. The other student listens and says safe or unsafe based on listening to the clues.
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Give group of 3 kids a blown up Doggone crazy card and have them identify safe or unsafe and present to class.
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Follow up survey
Going back to the class a week to two weeks later is AMAZING! I loved this and we got opportunities to see who had used the skills and what they learned etc.
Younger kids.
Sequencing & detail is important for k-2. Pre reading skill etc.
Have the kids draw their own tool cards. Each kid needs a set for at their desk.
Show a picture and have them put the tools in order in which they should happen based on what clues they see in the picture.
Pick one or two to talk about why and what they noticed.
These are just some of the new activities I have done with the classes I see.
1 large group presentation and individual classroom follow up. This makes our program unique and soooo efficient! What a great way to reinforce and PRACTICE!
Doggone Safe in Australia ...
Doggone Safe is pleased announce the appointment of Ron Court of Pet Education Training of Caboolture, Queensland as Co-ordinator for Australia.
Upcoming Events...
Here are some events at which Doggone Safe members will be speaking or at which Doggone Safe will have a booth. Please find us and say hi!
International Association of Dog Behavior Consultants June 3-5
International Professional Dog Training Assoc Conference Oct 29-30
Kitchener ON - Joan Orr and Teresa Lewin
Our Sponsors ...
Thanks to our sponsors. Their generosity and community spirit help us to spread the Doggone Safe educational messages more effectively.
For More Information...
For more information about Doggone Safe and for useful tips about bite prevention please visit the Doggone Safe website. Any materials found at the site can be used at websites or in printed matter without permission (unless specifically noted) provided proper credit is given. A link back to the Doggone Safe site is appreciated.
Privacy Policy...
Doggone Safe will not share its mailing list with third parties