Free talks for kids on ‘Safety around Dogs’

09 June 2008

School children in North East Lincolnshire are being offered free talks on safety around dogs this summer, as part of a national education initiative run by The Blue Cross, Britain’s pet charity. 

The Blue Cross co-ordinates a network of trained volunteers who visit primary schools and youth groups around the country to teach the next generation of pet owners about responsible animal care.  Some volunteers are accompanied by their dogs, who must first pass a temperament test to qualify as a Blue Cross education dog.  Other volunteers make use of hand puppets and other resources to help bring the important messages to life.

This summer, The Blue Cross is promoting a code of conduct for children to help them stay safe around dogs.  Tracey Genever, Children’s Education Officer at The Blue Cross, will be co-ordinating talks in North East Lincolnshire.  She explains:

“Children are more likely to come into contact with dogs during the summer and they could risk being injured if they do not understand how to behave around them.  The Blue Cross talks aim to teach children how to be safe around dogs so they can enjoy the company of these lovely animals.”

The Blue Cross ‘Safety around Dogs’ education talks cover subjects such as:

How animals feel and react to what is around them

What to do if you are approached by a dog

How to read the warning signs from a dog

How to gain confidence if you are nervous of dogs

Talks are also available on other subjects relating to pet care and can be made in assemblies or smaller groups.  They are designed to fit in with the National Curriculum programme of Citizenship and can be tailored to different age groups. 

For more information or to book a Blue Cross talk for your school or children’s group, please contact the Blue Cross education team on 0845 370 1027 or e-mail education@bluecross.org.uk.Educational materials are available to download from The Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Photos available: Blue Cross education volunteers and their dogs in schools

Please note, the availability of talks is dependant upon the availability of volunteers.

To date, Blue Cross education volunteers have given talks to over 60,000 children.  All volunteers are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau before being approved.

Blue Cross education talks are not a fundraising initiative; they are part of a programme of information and education.

The Blue Cross animal charity provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

The Blue Cross animal hospital in Grimsby has been providing vital veterinary services to the local community for over 40 years. In July 2005 the new hospital opened its doors after re-locating from a nearby older site. The new building includes three operating theatres, four treatment clinics, new kennelling areas, access for disabled clients and much needed new equipment to handle the thousands of treatments delivered each year.

Media contacts

Ziela Haider on 020 7932 4063 / 07860 519 716 or ziela.haider@bluecross.org.uk

Sue Malin on 01993 852 302 or sue.malin@bluecross.org.uk