2008
Volume 5 Issue 1
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. Join or renew before March 31, 2008 and qualify for a special introductory enrollment in our new Basic Body Language on-line course for only $15!
In This Issue Doggone Safe Offers Dog Body Language Course On-Line
Member Update
Website Update
Saskatchewan Forges Ahead in Dog Bite Prevention Education
Canadian Animal Assistance Team Takes Be a Tree North and South
Veterinarian Reports 30% Increase in New Clients Thanks to Be a Tree Program
Doggone Safe Parties with the Dogs in Winnipeg
Doggone Safe to Train Bell Canada Technicians Nation-Wide
Doggone Safe in the Media
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 Offers Dog Body Language Course On-Line...
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We are excited to announce our latest educational initiative, an on-line course to teach about dog body language. This course is full of photos, videos and clear explanations to help you identify clues in the environment and in the dog's body language to help you decide how he is feeling. Check out the free demo that gives a glimpse of the Basic Body Language course contents. The regular price for the course is $30, but Doggone Safe members who join or renew before March 31 will receive a discount code to enroll in the course for the special introductory price of only $15. You can pick up the discount code at the Member's webpage. Login information will be sent by email when you join or renew. The course is open for enrollment now! |
 Wow! Great course, very well organized and very comprehensive. Great visual as well. I’m impressed! Norma Jeanne Laurette, President, International Positive Dog Training Association www.ipdta.org
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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. 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.
A new member benefit! Enroll in our new on-line course, Basic Body Language, for the special members-only introductory price of only $15. See below for more information about this course.
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Give-aways you can order: Stickers - with your logo printed on them ($20 for 250 stickers)
Bookmarks - cover shipping costs
Pamphlets that you can have printed or can order from us for shipping cost
Postcards explaining the basics of dog body language. Visit the members web page for more information. |
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Website Update...
New Be a Tree Website - We have posted a new website dedicated to the Be a Tree Program. This was created at the request of the provincial education ministry in Saskatchewan as a resource for teachers. Check out the section for kids for new coloring pages, explanations and photos about how and why to be a tree and instructions on how to be a dog detective. www.be-a-tree.com
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 a dog body language postcard that you can customize with your contact information and have printed by Vista Print or by your local printer.
Saskatchewan Forges Ahead in Dog Bite Prevention Education...
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The province of Saskatchewan is leading the way in dog bite prevention education thanks to the support of the Saskatchewan Association of Veterinary Technologists, the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association and dedicated veterinarians Dr. Bob Bellamy, Dr. Tracy Fisher and Dr. Sally Cleland. Dr. Cleland organized a media event at a school in Regina with help of journalist student Joe Couture and this was a tremendous success. Media attended from across the province and Dr. Cleland was interviewed for radio, television and print articles. Thanks to Dr. Cleland's efforts, interest in the Be a Tree program and in dog bite prevention has come from the provincial education ministry, local and provincial public health authorities and the Saskatchewan Safety Council. In response to a request from Saskatchewan Learning, we have created a non-commercial website dedicated to the Be a Tree program. Please check it out at www.be-a-tree.com. There are links to the various letters of support that we have received from the various Saskatchewan agencies mentioned above. |
The Be a Tree media event in Regina was a big success. The kids were great with the media and were pleased with all the handouts they received. |
Canadian Animal Assistance Team Takes Be a Tree North and South...
The Canadian Animal Assistance Team took the Be a Tree program north to Igloolik, Nunavut and south to Mexico in March 2007. It turns out that the kids in Igloolik have never seen a real tree, living as they do above the arctic circle. Instead of being a tree, Chris Robinson, CAAT Ontario Coordinator, taught them all to be an Inukshuk (without the arms) instead!
There were 65 kids at the presentation and of those 61 reported that they had been bitten by a dog. Thanks to Chris and the rest of the CAAT team for taking an important lesson to the far north.
Doggone Safe is dedicated to bringing dog bite prevention messages to First Nations communities. Watch for more news about how our members are making a difference in Saskatchewan. Send us your news and photos if you are working with First Nations kids. We want to know!
Veterinarian Reports 30% Increase in New Clients Thanks to Be a Tree Program...
Dr Bob and friend. Reprinted with permission from the SMVA News, Aug, 2007.
Dr. Bob Bellamy, former president of the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, wrote in an article published in the SVMA News that he has witnessed a 30% increase in new clients over the past two years.
Dr. Bellamy and his staff have been delivering the Be a Tree program to schools, playground groups, day cares, dog classes, humane society meetings and where ever there is interest in dog bite prevention education. He says that offering the Be a Tree program has yielded more new clients than any other initiative attempted by their office. The great part is that the education is important for the community. The increased business was a welcome, but unexpected benefit.
The Be a Tree program is a wonderful way to give back to the community. If you run a business, you may find that the community gives back to you as well.
Doggone Safe Parties with the Dogs in Winnipeg...
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Doggone Safe member Jean Patterson created an interesting display that drew a lot of attention from kids and parents at the Great Manitoba Dog Party in Winnipeg Manitoba. Visitors learned to be a tree and how to tell the difference between a happy and an anxious dog. They also learned that dogs don't like hugs and kisses, a concept that we all know is a difficult one for dog lovers to believe. |
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Doggone Safe Selected to Train Bell Canada Technicians Nation-Wide...
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Doggone Safe has been selected by Bell Canada to provide dog safety training to technicians across Canada. This training will use the Be Doggone Smart at Work program and will be delivered in live sessions by certified Doggone Smart at Work presenters in different parts of the country. |
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Doggone Safe in the Media...
On TV
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Dr. Sally Cleland is interviewed by CTV News during the Be a Tree media event in Saskatoon, sponsored by the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association. The media event was a great success and attracted print, radio and TV media. Interviews and media attention have continued well after the event. We would like to repeat this in other communities. Please contact us if you would be interesting in organizing a media event in your area. |
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In Print
 SVMA News, Nov 2007 |
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Our Be a Tree bookmark was printed in the West Prince Graphic to raise awareness during Animal Health Week in Canada. We will be sending reminders to all members along with suitable press releases and other educational materials whenever there is a dog-related special day or week so that you can send this in to your local media. This will help promote your business and spread Doggone Safe's educational messages. |
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Pets magazine, Mar-Apr 2007 |
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Does your local health department have a newsletter? If so, you could send them this article and ask if they would like a similar article to publish. We will help to modify the article to suit and of course your contact information will also appear. |
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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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The Chewber - a terrific dog training toy! The Chewber is a tug toy, retrieving toy, chew toy and portable food and water bowl all in one. It flies, it rolls and it is virtually indestructible. An essential training toy for every dog. |
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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!
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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.