Feb-Apr 2007
Volume 4 Issue 2
A non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention through education
Doggone Safe is the only non-profit organization incorporated in Canada and the US dedicated to dog bite prevention through 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 Free Resources for Bite Prevention Week (May 20-26)
Member Update
Website Update
Praise for Our Be a Tree Presenters
Heddie Leger Appointed Doggone Safe US Midwest Co-ordinator
Dog Bite Statistics and Published Research
New DVD for Worker Safety Around Dogs on the Job
Doggone Safe in the Media
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.
Free Resources for Bite Prevention Week (May 20-26)...
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Dog Bite Prevention Week Postcard - postcards are available that announce dog bite prevention week and give tips for kids. These are free while supplies last, we just ask for postage to be covered. Please contact Kerry Potter-Kotecki to order yours. Click here for radio PSAs and other bite prevention week resources. |
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The Canadian Animal Health Institute has generously funded the production of 136,000 Be a Tree bookmarks to be distributed across Canada. The bookmarks are free, but shipping charges will apply. Send us an email if you would like some bookmarks to distribute in Canada.
The Northern Ontario Health Unit will distribute over 4000 bookmarks to elementary school children as part of their anti-rabies campaign. Public Health Nurses in Prince Edward Island will also distribute the bookmarks and will distribute the Be Doggone Smart at Home pamphlet to 1300 new mothers to help prevent injuries to infants.
Sick Kids hospital in Toronto, Canada will distribute over 4000 bookmarks and postcards to promote safety around dogs.
Member Update...
Send us information about any community events you will be attending so that we can include these in the newsletter and on the website.
Memberships expired at the end of December. There are 97 members who did not renew. Please consider renewing to help us continue developing materials and providing programs for kids. If you have renewed or joined and you did not receive the new password for the member's page please send us an email. There are lots of benefits to being a Doggone Safe member - click here to see.
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Give-aways you can order: Stickers - with your logo printed on them ($20 USD; $27.50 CAD for 250 stickers)
Bookmarks - cover shipping costs
Pamphlets that you can have printed or can order from us for shipping cost
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Website Update...
Bite Statistics and Published Literature - Several information resources have been posted at our new page in the Doggone Safe Reference Centre which can be accessed from bottom right of the main page.
New Bite Prevention Handout - Check out the bite prevention page and be sure you have seen all our great handouts. These can be copied freely with credit to Doggone Safe.
Updated Victim's Assistance page
Be sure to visit the members only page to see the other press releases, flyers and letters available to help you promote the Be a Tree and Be Doggone Smart at Work programs.
NEW ARTICLE - A new article has been posted in the Article Library... Play Date Checklist by Joan Orr and Teresa Lewin: A checklist for parents to consider regarding dogs before allowing children to go to play at a friend's house.
NEW at the member's only page are support materials for community programs, a Powerpoint program that describes the Be a Tree program and a new 1-page flyer describing the Be a Tree teacher kit.
Praise for Our Be a Tree Presenters...
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"Just wanted to touch base with you about a presentation we had at the school by Tonji Stewart (of Holyrood, Newfoundland) called "Doggone Safe". The presentation informed our Grade Two and Three students on how they should act around dogs. It told them the signs to look for when approached by a dog and gave the steps that they should follow in dealing with dogs. I thought the presentation was excellent and Tonji did a great job of keeping it interactive and interesting. I strongly recommend this presentation to other schools. Just a thought. As I said, our teachers and students felt they learned a lot." Robin McGrath; Principal - Holy Cross School |
"Sandi Wright (of Hinton, Alberta) did a presentation for our four playschool classes on dog safety. This presentation was very well organized and very informative. She had wonderful pictures to keep our little three and four year olds very attentive. Sandi also had a stuffed dog for the children to practice safely meeting a dog. I would highly recommend Sandi to others for this wonderful presentation."
Alma O'Rourke; Children's Creative Playschool
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Comments about Kerry Potter-Kotecki's presentation...
"I personally thought that you were wonderful!!! The kids were totally into everything that you had to say. You spoke to them in a nice, calm and sweet voice that was not at all frightful. You had all of the kids involved and took the time to answer their questions. They especially loved the dog that your brought. Giving them materials to take home reinforced the program that you did in school because the parents then were able to question the children about what they learned.
The only thing that I would have done differently was having the kids sit more in a semi circle around you instead of in a straight line. That was my fault because I asked them to sit on the red line on the floor in the gym. I think if they were a little closer to you the would be able to not get distracted from being too far on the end of the line. So what you said, did and explained to all those kindergarten, second and fourth grade girls was very informative and I honestly think they all got it.
This program is a wonderful thing."
Patti, Girl Scout Leader |
Kerry's Dog, Ribbons |
"She [Jan Kay of Kindersley, Saskatchewan] gave them a lot of practical strategies to use when dealing with or being confronted by a dog. It's a really good reminder for them not to assume our friends or neighbor's or even our own dog is going to be in a good mood or friendly. When I went back to the class they talked non-stop about what they learned."
Kim Edgerton; Grade 3 Teacher, Elizabeth School
Heddie Leger Appointed Doggone Safe US Midwest Coordinator...
We are pleased to announce that Heddie Leger of Liberty Missouri has agreed to take on the role of Midwest Co-ordinator for Doggone Safe. Heddie is pictured at right with her dog Hero. Hero and Heddie are a dedicated pet-partner team that spend much of their time helping others. Heddie's credentials include the following:
AKC-CGC Certified
Trainer/Evaluator
AKC-Public Relations Education Ambassador
ARC – Legislative Liaison
Care Alternatives Hospice Therapy Team
Delta Society Certified Therapy Team
Dog Scouts of America Leader
Humane Society of United States Certified Education Specialist
Lead Trainer Clay County 4-H Dog Training Project
Member American Pet Dog Trainers Association
Member Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club
Mid Continent Public Library Coordinator Reading Assistance Dogs Project
Missouri Search and Rescue Team in training
MoKan Pet Partners Therapy Team
MRC – Member Legislative Liaison
NASAS – National Association Search and Rescue Dogs
Pets for Life – Kansas City Association of Pet Partners
R.E.A.D. Certified Reading Education Assistance Dog Team
Therapy Dogs International Certified Team
Wayside Waifs Humane Educator
Hero came to Heddie at the age of two with a broken heart and thanks to Heddie's love and care he is now a happy and productive member of society and an exemplary ambassador for his breed.
Here is an except from Hero's story:
Hero also works with handicapped groups. During one session, a little girl in a wheelchair suddenly started yelling and moaning loudly and flailing her arms. All the other students started saying "she is calling Hero's name" they encouraged us to go over to the little girl. She tried to reach out and open her hand, with CP, this is quite an accomplishment. Later that day her mother called to thank us. She said it was one of the happiest days of her life to see her child who had great difficulty reaching, moving her limbs, or even opening her hand to go to such an extent to pet Hero. All the while, with all the commotion and noise in the room, Hero sat quietly by her side moving his head into position for her hand to touch his head. It was like trying to hit a moving target, as her movements were quite palsied, but for over 30 minutes he sat with her until she calmed down, and he moved his head again and again in such a way to make a petting motion for her hand. She slowly relaxed and opened her hand, and with Hero's help was able to pet him. Everyone had tears in their eyes.
Please click here to read Hero's and Heddie's heartwarming stories.
Dog Bite Statistics and Published Research...
Doggone Safe co-ordinator Tina Van Why of Sit Happens LLC has been very busy giving Be a Tree presentations in Georgia. Tina always asks the children how many have been bitten and she was kind enough to send us the statistics shown below. There are a shocking number of children being bitten by dogs and our sincerest thanks go out to our Be a Tree presenters who are making a difference in their communities.
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Number in Group |
Grade Level |
Number Bitten |
Percent bitten |
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18 |
6 |
33% |
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15 |
7 |
46% |
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11 |
5 |
45% |
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16 |
5 |
9 |
56% |
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16 |
3 |
7 |
44% |
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21 |
1 |
7 |
33% |
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18 |
K and preK |
7 |
39% |
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18 |
1 |
14 |
78% |
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15 |
7 |
46% |
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9 |
6 |
67% |
We have posted other bite stats and links to dog bite prevention research at our new Bite Stats page in the Reference Centre. Please send us any other bite stats or articles that we have not included.
New DVD for Worker Safety Around Dogs on the Job...
Order this and other terrific resources from the Latham Foundation at www.latham.org.
Doggone Safe in the Media...
In Print
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Read full article about Doggone Safe Canada West Co-ordinator Christina LeBreton. |
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Jan Kay, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers, visited a local school to read about dogs and talk about safety. "It was surprising how many kids in grade 3 were bitten by a dog. It was a significant amount," Kay said after the majority of students put up their hands when asked the question. "As a society we have a problem and it has to be addressed. We need to get this kind of information into our schools." |
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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!
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Dog Walk Against Cancer - Bear Mountain State Park |
May 6, 8:00 AM |
Kerry Potter-Kotecki |
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Kids Day 2007 at the Village - Tampa FL |
May 12, 10AM - 3PM |
Miriam Lindley |
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Be Doggone Smart at Home Presentation - Clarkson Town Hall, Clarkson New York |
May 18, 8-9:30 PM |
Kerry Potter-Kotecki and Teresa Lewin |
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CAPPDT Conference - Saskatoon SK |
May 18-20 |
Joan Orr |
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Doggone Safe Garage Sale - Milton ON |
May 26-27 |
Teresa Lewin |
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TAGteach Certification Seminar - Ottawa ON |
Jun 9-10 |
Joan Orr |
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International Ferret Symposium - Tucson AZ |
Jun 22-24 |
Joan Orr |
Recommended Products...
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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
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Dog Defense: Avoiding On-the-Job Dog Bites, DVD (19 minutes) produced by the Latham Foundation Dog Defense features the personal accounts from professionals who encounter dangerous dogs every day in the course of their work. It describes "real world" scenarios and summarizes the more current advice for avoiding painful, frightening and debilitating injuries. Order from the Latham Foundation
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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. |
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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.
New book by Joan and Teresa - Getting Started: Clicking with Your Bunny
New Clicker Training videos (ClickFlicks) for download for as little as $4.99 US and no shipping fee!
Our Sponsors ...
Thanks to our sponsors. Their generosity and community spirit help us to spread the Doggone Safe educational messages more effectively.
Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Newfoundland
Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Ontario
Trade show booth sponsor; educational material sponsor
Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Newfoundland
Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Newfoundland
Adopt-a-classroom sponsor - Newfoundland
St. John's Veterinary Hospital
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.