February-March 2006

Volume 3 Issue 2

A non-profit organization dedicated to Dog Bite Prevention

Doggone Safe is the only non-profit organization incorporated in Canada and the US 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.

Join Doggone Safe and become part of a growing movement of professionals dedicated to dog bite prevention education. Get some free bookmarks when you join - while supplies last.

In This Issue      Doggone Safe Members Win at Dog Writer's Awards

Member Update

Website Update

Prepare the Dog for Baby: Dogs and Baby Equipment

Dog Bite Prevention Week

Endorsements for the Be a Tree Program

Upcoming Events

Recommended Products

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.

Join Doggone Safe or donate to the Courtney Fund

Doggone Safe Members Win at Dog Writer's Awards

Doggone Safe members were presented with several awards at the Dog Writers Association of America banquet in New York City in January. Congratulations to all.

Member Update...

We are thrilled that Kerry has accepted a leadership position in the organization and look forward to working with her during this exciting period of rapid growth.

It is membership renewal time. If we have your email address you should have received a renewal notice by email. Thanks to all who responded. Membership dues will be $20 for 2006. We appreciate on-line renewals - just click here and choose Join Doggone Safe (even if you are already a member), then click on Catalogue and choose "Join Doggone Safe". Thanks in advance for renewing your membership. We count on your support and enthusiasm!

The password for the member's only part of the site has changed. If you have renewed you membership and have not yet received the new password please send us an email and we will send you the new password so that you can download your 2006 logos and see all the improvements to the member's only part of the site.

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 Budget Calculator Spreadsheet:

A spreadsheet to help with budget calculations for the Be a Tree program is posted at the members page. This allows you to try out different combinations of numbers of classrooms, numbers of students and different combinations of give away materials. You can use this to help develop pricing options for sponsorship proposals. This is available in US dollars only.

Website Update...

The Member's web page has been updated with lots of new information and downloads. Here is a listing of the material posted at the Member's page.

Prepare the Dog for Baby: Dogs and Baby Equipment...

By Jennifer Shryock

One of the most basic ways parents can help prepare their family dog is to expose them to the baby equipment prior to its use with an actual baby. It is best to introduce baby swings and all baby equipment to the family dog prior to the arrival of the baby. Baby swings have all sorts of gadgets these days! They vibrate, make music and even rotate. It is important to know your dog's individual sensitivities and prepare him well ahead of time. Read the full article

Endorsements for the Be a Tree Program...

Doggone Safe is proud to have received two more endorsements from experts in the fields of safety and child education. The Rockland County Department of Health has written a letter indicating that the Commissioner of Health, Joan Facelle, MD, MPH and the Director, Environmental Public Health Thomas Micelli, PE "strongly support the efforts of the "BE A TREE" program".  "We would like to recommend the "BE A TREE" program and its founding organization, Doggone Safe. We are impressed by both the goals of the program and the methods use to for teaching dog bite prevention. It is an engaging and positive program that uses sound educational strategies to to teach easy-to-remember techniques that children can understand. Its impact on children and the adults in their lives could mean a significant reduction in the number of dog bites in Rockland County."

We would be happy to fax you a copy of this letter to show to your local health department in the hopes that they would also recommend the program. The health department recommendation is very helpful when trying to interest local schools and potential sponsors in the program.

The second endorsement comes from a director of the Lester B Pearson school board in Quebec. The Be a Tree program was presented to the principals by one of the Directors of Education for the board and this will hopefully result in many calls to  Doggone Safe Quebec co-ordinator Sherri Utter.

Please send us any testimonials or endorsements that you may have obtained for the Be a Tree program so that we can use these to help other presenters build support in their areas for the program.

Dog Bite Prevention Week...

May 21-27, 2006 is dog bite prevention week. Doggone Safe would like to support members in any initiatives they can suggest to raise awareness during this week. Send us your ideas and we will try to help you and will share ideas with others through the newsletter. A media kit from Doggone Safe will be made available soon to help promote dog bite prevention week.

Dog bite prevention week will be a good opportunity to offer our Public Service Announcements for radio to local radio stations. Radio stations are required to donate a certain amount of air time to PSAs and are always looking for topical PSAs. Contact your local radio stations and offer to provide them with PSAs for dog bite prevention week. You may be able to get a free plug for your business... "This message brought to you by Susie's Dog Training school".

Click here to download PSAs in text form, high and low res audio.

Upcoming Events...

Here are some events organized by Doggone Safe members, at which Doggone Safe members will be speaking or at which Doggone Safe will have a booth. Please find us and say hi!

Recommended  Products...

Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind by Colleen Pelar.

This is a must-have resource for families with kids and dogs. All ages and stages of dogs and children are covered with practical tips for keeping them both safe and happy.

"This is a wonderful book. Useful, useful, useful information - all the main points in an extremely easy-to-read style. As a trainer and mom, Colleen sees the full picture"  - Dr Ian Dunbar - founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Click on the link to buy Buy this book from Dogwise and help earn commission for Doggone Safe.

LIVING WITH KIDS AND DOGS...WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND

Dogs and Storks CD - Everything you need to know to prepare the family dog for life with kids.

Produced by Jennifer Shryock, Doggone Safe US Vice President, parent, educator and dog behavior specialist. Learn more and read testimonials.

Doggone Safe is now a KPCT Affiliate. Any orders placed at the KPCT site within 30 days of visiting that site via a link from Doggone Safe will generate commission for Doggone Safe.

Click on the recommended products to the right to order or get more information.

If you want to learn the newest clicker techniques from the experts and get hands-on practice, then come to a Clicker Expo. These expos are a ton of fun and the environment is very positive. Doggone Safe president Joan Orr will be there as a faculty member. Be sure to introduce yourself and say hi!

Our Sponsors ...

Thanks to our sponsors. Their generosity and community spirit help us to spread the Doggone Safe educational messages more effectively.

Trade show booth sponsor; educational material sponsor

Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Newfoundland

Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Newfoundland

Bookmark Sponsor

Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Dana Point-San Clemente California

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. Information obtained through the on-line ordering system is encrypted and kept confidential. Credit card information is not stored and is deleted as soon as the order is processed.