School age children all across the country are walking to and from bus stops on their own every day. Do they know what to do should a stray dog approach them? Parents and professionals can provide basic tools to increase their safety Doggone Safe offers a terrific program "Be a Tree" that can benefit children everywhere on how to increase safety around familiar and unfamiliar dogs.
Cary, NC (PRWEB) September 14, 2004 -- Labor Day has passed and everyone is back to the Fall schedule and new activities. As we prepare our children for the year ahead often there are new issues of safety that parents and schools address. Information about bus safety, strangers and even bike safety are often included in every school program at some point throughout the year. Unfortunately we are leaving out a very important safety consideration, how to behave safely around familiar and unfamiliar dogs. It is estimated that about 400,000 American children seek medical attention for dog bites. ( source www.cdc.gov) Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are most often the victims. This statistic is alarming and demands immediate attention by communities to provide effective and better education. Learning how to stay DOGGONE SAFE around our favorite family companion is long overdue!
As my son was walking to the bus stop and was approached by our neighbors excited dog that had escaped through their front door. My son is seven years old and this is a big energetic dog. I was not far behind my son and watched him as he stopped and stood still. He knew to be a tree. He did not run, panic or scream. How did he know what to do you ask? He has practiced and role played Doggone Safes "Be a Tree presentation."(www.doggonesafe.com) Our neighbors dog, like many dogs that get loose are full of energy. This may not seem threatening or dangerous but it can become dangerous if a child does not know what to do and runs away from the dog screaming. Children can easily be injured as a result of being knocked down. Once on the ground a child is much more vulnerable to any dog. This is a serious concern. Teaching children through role playing and games is a safe and fun way for them to learn how to be Doggone Safe.
Doggone Safe is a Canadian based non profit organization dedicated to providing education to the community about how to act safely around familiar and unfamiliar dogs. As a Mother and Canine Behavior consultant of Family Paws (http://www.familypaws.com) I am honored to be the U.S. Coordinator for Doggone Safe and bring their "Be A Tree program" to our Raleigh area schools. Every community would benefit from this educational program.
If for a moment you question the importance and need for dog bite prevention in your community then I challenge you to walk into any Elementary schools Second grade class and ask How many of you have been bitten by a dog?" How many of those bitten was it YOUR own dog?" Often the number of hands that indicate they have been bitten is shocking. It is even more alarming when you see how often it is by their own family dog. This is the most common situation. Our communities must actively provide education that is fun, accurate and effective for all age groups.
I am proud to be making this excellent dog bite prevention program available here in Raleigh, NC. Every community that supports this education will help to empower children to make safer choices about how to behave around familiar and unfamiliar dogs. Decreasing the number of children injured by dog each year is our goal.
If you would like to bring this dog bite prevention program to your community or school please contact jen@familypaws.com
Begin learning about canine body language now!
http://www.familypaws.com/communication
Resources: http://www.doggonesafe.com/Doggone%20Safe%20plans%20for%20dogs%20bite%20prevention.htm#programs
# # #
|
