Business News

I have recently started an interesting program for children, called Pet/Dog Safety and Care. With incorporated materials from the AKC's Best Friend Program as well as my own, the program teaches kids how to take good care of their pet, what having a dog is all about, how to tell if a strange dog is friendly or not, and how to approach and treat animals in general. The program starts out with the Best Friends video, Q&A, and some instructional games. Then one of my dogs does some positive reinforcement exercises with the clicker and we demonstrate basic care for dogs. The children receive certificates of completion after the presentation. I have already gone to two Girl Scout meetings and a third grade handicapped class, with two more Scout troops scheduled. Girl Scouts at the Junior level, have a badge to earn called 'Pet Care'; this program meets the requirements for them to receive that badge. I have also been asked to participate in a Community Day as one of the featured speakers with this program. Response to this program has been so positive, that I am developing a program called Training Dogs with Kids. There will be classes for children and their dogs to learn clicker training and positive reinforcement methods. In addition to receiving clients from these presentations, knowing that these future pet owners and their parents are doing what is right for their pets is very satisfying. And maybe a few less children will get bitten and a few less dogs will end up in a shelter.   Dorrie Wilson, CBC - Editor