Doggone Safe Announces the International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge 2014

    CAMPBELLVILLE, ON, March 15, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Doggone Safe today announced the International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge. It challenges its presenters to visit schools and educate 50,000 children about dog safety during the months of March to May. The Challenge is to celebrate Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 18-24, 2014). Non-profit Doggone Safe has presenters in 17 countries, 11 Canadian provinces and 43 states in the USA.

Dog bites to children are considered to be a serious public health problem by public health agencies and veterinary medical associations worldwide. Statistics show that most bites are by the family dog or other dog known to the child. "Experts agree that public education has an important role to play in reducing dog bite risk to children, and the Be a Tree program is one of the ways Doggone Safe is contributing," said Teresa Lewin, vice president and cofounder of Doggone Safe.

Doggone Safe administers the "Be a Tree" dog bite prevention program for school children. The program is delivered by Doggone Safe presenters, veterinary technicians, dog trainers, dog behaviorists, public health nurses, emergency medical services personnel, animal control officers, police officers, teachers and humane educators. Presenters use a teacher kit which contains large format photographs showing dog body language signs, games and activities. Program sponsors can purchase supplementary branded learning materials such as coloring books, paint sheets, a story book, a poster, stickers, bookmarks and fridge magnets. Over 700,000 children worldwide have experienced the Be a Tree presentation since 2004. Through the International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge, Doggone Safe aims to increase this by at almost ten percent.

"I love 'be a tree' (and 'be a rock'). It's the best of its kind. This information has to get out there," said Jean Donaldson - Internationally recognized dog behavior expert, award-winning author and director of the Academy for Dog Trainers. Teaching children to read dog body language and act safely around dogs is good for dogs too, since many dogs lose their families, their homes and even their lives if they growl, snap at, or bite a child.

For more information about the Challenge, to become a sponsor, to book a presentation for your school or to register as a presenter please visit the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com.

Doggone Safe is a non-profit corporation registered in Canada and Ontario, and in the US is a 501(c)(3) registered charity. Doggone Safe is dedicated to dog bite prevention through education and dog bite victim support. Doggone Safe has members from around the world. Educational programs offered by Doggone Safe are Be a Tree (for school-aged children), and online courses about dog body language and occupational dog bite prevention.

# # #