Teach a Child, Save a Dog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Teach a Child, Save a Dog.

International Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 15-21, 2011

*The School of the Naked Dog supports International Dog Bite Prevention Week by launching their own Doggone Safe “Be a Tree” Event on Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 10am to midday at the Foundation of the Blind, 96 Bristol Street, Christchurch.*

During the third week in May, Doggone Safe and The School of the Naked Dog are delivering a solution to one of the nation’s most commonly reported public health problems affecting children: dog bites. Half of all children are bitten by a dog by the time they are 12 years old.

With many media reporting dog bite incidences like that of the incident at the Video Ezy store in Auckland, and the dairy incident in Christchurch, dog trainer Blair Anderson says that empowering the child is the protective measure to reducing the risk of injury to both child, and to the life of the dog.

Doggone Safe, a non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention through education offers free information at its website www.doggonesafe.com to help promote safety messages. The School of the Naked Dog ( www.nakeddog.co.nz) is promoting and delivering the Doggone Safe “Be a Tree” children’s programme during the annual International Dog Bite Prevention Week in May.

Youth Education Specialist, Natalie Perzylo, identified the Canadian-developped program as a practical solution to New Zealand’s dog bite problem prior to the microchipping and breed specific legislation debate, integrating it into the Christchurch School of the Naked Dog’s holiday programme curriculum.

Children and parents 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” programme is unique in its use of several different teaching strategies, its focus on physical activity and its emphasis on positive messages. The “Be a Tree” programme empowers children 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 Free Doggone Safe “Be a Tree” Event will be held at the Foundation of the Blind, 96 Bristol Street, Christchurch on Sunday May 15 from 10am to midday

For information or to discuss booking a “Be a Tree” programme, please contact a member of our team at 03 389 4065 or mailto: doggonesafe@nakeddog.co.nz

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