Dog Safety Education
Dogs are all around us. Knowing how to behave around them is a life skill!
Did you know that ALL dogs can bite?
And most bites are PREVENTABLE!
Dog bites pose a serious community health risk. According to the CDC more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. and nearly half of them are children. Approximately 77% of these children are bitten by a dog that is familiar to them, such as the family dog or one belonging to a friend or neighbor. Children under the age of 15 are the most commonly bitten, with the highest rates between ages 5-9 and the most severe injuries occurring in children 6 and younger.
These statistics are staggering, but also filled with hope.
Teaming up with communities and institutions that educate children can make a HUGE impact on lowering these statistics.
Teaching children, and adults, to:
Interact with dogs in a kind and respectful manner increases safety,
See the world from a dog’s perspective develops compassion & empathy, and
Read dog body language helps us to interpret how they may be feeling, what they may be thinking, and how they may behave next. By listening to their whispers we can prevent them from shouting.
As featured on PHL 17’s Positively Philly, Brighten Up Pup’s programming helps children and adults stay safe around strange dogs AND those they know and love. Teaching dogs and people how to understand and behave around one another prevents pain & suffering, as well as heartache by keeping our dogs out of shelters and in peaceful fur-ever homes.
To illustrate how children and dogs experience the world differently, how they feel about interactions, and how it can go seriously wrong due to lack of education, check out this video by thefamilydog.com: Stop the 77
These programs are tailored to Preschool, Elementary and Middle School students, but can be adjusted to accommodate teens and adults.
Preschoolers & Kindergartners learn how to safely interact with dogs with the help of a music video. While older students have the opportunity to learn “How to Be Safe Around Dogs” and “How to Speak Dog” in two separate programs.
Don’t delay and contact us TODAY to set up a presentation at your local school, library, community group or anywhere kids go to Learn, Play & Grow. Virtual programming also available.
A live Assistance Dog is an optional feature for groups under 30 children. The Assistance Dog is a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen and has passed her TDI Therapy Dog test.
Lisa Cruz has her state and federal clearances for working with children and is insured.