Doggone safe is proud to be 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.

(PRWEB) June 15, 2004 -- Doggone Safe™ is proud to announce that is has received federal non-profit status in Canada and is the only federally incorporated organization whose mission is dog bite prevention education and dog bite victim support. Doggone Safe offers programs and services through its web site and community of volunteers in Canada, the US and internationally. Its goal is to help children and families learn how to be safe around familiar and unfamiliar dogs.

Under its education mandate, Doggone Safe’s flagship program, Be a Tree™, has received international recognition. An interactive, education program for elementary school age children, it uses photos, games and fun to teach young children how to read dog body language and to be safer around dogs. Long-time bite prevention educator and canine behaviour specialist, Lisa Grey, says of the Be a Tree program, “Hats off to one of the best educational packages I have seen in years and a great public service that goes a long way to getting the message out about dog bite prevention and working toward eliminating dog bites to our children”.

A self-contained Be a Tree teacher kit is now available for order through the Doggone Safe web site. The kit allows educators to deliver the program easily with no special training. The kit is produced by the company Doggone Crazy! and a donation to Doggone Safe is made for every kit sold. The kit has been tested by experts in classrooms in the US and Canada. Carolyn Clark, a teacher and Director of Center for Applied Canine Behaviour says of the kit, "Directions are clear, the guidelines accurate and user friendly. Pictures are very helpful. Every school should have a kit available."

Other educational seminar programs offered by Doggone Safe are Be Doggone Smart at Home™ (for parents), Be Doggone Smart with Your New Baby™ (for expectant parents) and Be Doggone Smart at Work™ (for outside workers who come into daily contact with dogs).

Victim support is Doggone Safe’s other priority. Doggone Safe receives many inquiries from the parents of dog bite victims They are often upset and confused as to how to proceed to ensure the future safety and recovery of their child. Doggone Safe has newly created the Courtney Trempe Memorial Fund for Dog Bite Victim Support to provide services not covered by insurance - such as trauma counseling, caregiver support, communication assistance with school and peers while in hospital etc. Doggone Safe has also initiated an online support group for dog bite victims and their families to share their experiences as well as to get resources and support.

Doggone Safe is a much-needed organization and will help many communities decrease the number of dog bites. This may not only save lives but also decrease the number of dogs euthanised for biting. More information and dog bite prevention tips can be found at www.doggonesafe.com.


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