International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge to Educate 50,000 Children

CAMPBELLVILLE ON, April 29, 2011 (Press-News.org) Plans for the International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge are well underway. Doggone Safe challenged its presenters to visit schools and educate 50,000 children about dog safety in a single week. The Challenge will occur during Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 15-21, 2011). So far presenters have pledged to educate over 17,000 kids in six countries, six Canadian provinces and twenty six US states. Doggone Safe has applied to be considered for a Guinness Record attempt for the Challenge.

Half of all children are bitten by a dog and most of the time the biter is the family dog or another dog known to the child. "The number of bites to children is atrociously high and can easily be reduced through education. The Be a Tree program aims to provide this education," said Teresa Lewin, vice president and co-founder of Doggone Safe.

The "Be a Tree" program is a dog bite prevention presentation 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 500,000 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 least 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.

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. Visit us at www.doggonesafe.com.