New Bedford Leads the Way in Dog Bite Prevention Education

This summer, children in four New Bedford schools participated in an innovative dog bite prevention education program. Using the Be A Tree program, created by the Canadian non-profit organization Doggone Safe, the children learned how to use a simple behavior skill to make unsafe" or scary dogs (or just overly rambunctious dogs) go away. New Bedford will be the first city in North America to undertake to bring dog bite prevention training to its whole school system.

New Bedford, MA (PRWEB) August 29, 2005 --- This summer, children in four New Bedford schools participated in an innovative dog bite prevention education program. MANNERS for LIFE dog trainer Ruth Smiler visited Carney Academy, Holy Family-Holy Name, DeValles, and Hathaway Schools to teach the children how to read dog body language in order to know whether a dog is friendly and safe to approach. Using the Be A Tree program, created by the non-profit organization Doggone Safe, the children learned how to use a simple behavior skill to make unsafe" or scary dogs (or just overly rambunctious dogs) go away.

Half of all children in the US experience a dog bite by age 12. The vast majority of these bites are inflicted by the childs family pet or another known dog-grandmas, a neighbors, a friends. Most bites could be prevented if children knew how to act safely around dogs, both familiar dogs or strange dogs they encounter in public places, and if parents exercised appropriate supervision. Unfortunately, very few parents, whether they are dog owners or not, know how or what to teach their kids to protect them from a usually unnecessary tragedy.

This summers activities represent the first phase of a cooperative effort by the New Bedford School Department, working with Ms. Smiler, to address this serious public health problem by implementing a dog bite safety curriculum for all city children, kindergarten through middle school.

New Bedford will be the first city in North America to undertake to bring dog bite prevention training to its whole school system. Only Hawaii has a program of this scale. Any individuals, businesses or organizations who would like to help make the program a reality are invited to contact Ruth Smiler for more information

Children learn to read dog body language and how to act safely around dogs by looking at large format photographs and by playing interactive games. The Be a Tree program is unique in its use of several different teaching strategies, its focus on physical activity and its emphasis on positive messages. Instead of telling children "don't do this and don't do that", the Be a Tree program empowers them with the knowledge they need to make safe decisions based on the body language and the actions of the dog and the situation at hand. The central message of the program is "Be a Tree" (stand still and quiet and don't look at the dog) if a strange dog approaches or any dog is causing concern or becoming too frisky.

Program materials and the Doggone Crazy board game which enables classroom teachers to provide follow up sessions in which the children practice the safety skills they have learned were provided by the Humane Coalition for Animals of Greater New Bedford.

Doggone Safe president Joan Orr said, "Doggone safe is very pleased with the initiative taken by Ms. Smiler and we hope to be able to support other school districts who wish to follow the example being set in New Bedford. It is our goal to have every child know to 'Be a Tree' to make a dog go away, the same way that they know to look both ways before crossing the street."

Doggone Safe is a non-profit corporation registered in Canada and US. The organizations mandate includes dog bite prevention education and dog bite victim support. In addition to the Be A Tree program, Doggone Safe offers educational seminar programs Be Doggone Safe at Home (for parents), Be Doggone Smart with Your New Baby (for expectant parents), and Be Doggone Smart at Work (for workers who come into contact with dogs on the job.)

For additional information about Doggone Safe or to get information about becoming a Be a Tree program sponsor, please visit the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com, call 1-877-350-3232.

Contact Information:

Ruth Smiler

508-996-11286

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