Dog Bite Prevention

Did you know that 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, children are by far the most common victims of dog bites and usually suffer severe injuries because of it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years.

Furthermore, most dog bites affecting young children occur during every day activities while interacting with familiar dogs, according to the AVMA. The CDC reports that the more dogs that live in the home, the higher the incidence of dog bites. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs in the home.

Animals are wonderful companions for children and adults alike, so the resolution to the dog bite issue doesn’t require giving up your beloved animal. With May 20-26 being Dog Bite Prevention Week, the AVMA is connecting with various health agencies across the nation to help people avoid dog bites.

There are several actions you can take to help reduce your chances of being bitten. The AVMA suggests the following list:

1.       When selecting a pet, do not act on impulse. Research the type of dog that would best fit into your home; spend some time at an animal shelter or breeder to see how a specific dog interacts with you and your family.

2.       Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so that it feels at ease and unthreatened around people and other animals.

3.       Never put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased. Its natural defense mechanism is to lash out and bite.

4.       Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.

5.       Avoid playing highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your pet because it could promote aggressiveness, increasing the risk of biting.

6.       Use a leash in public to ensure you have your dog under control.

7.       Keep your dog healthy by having it routinely vaccinated against rabies and other preventable infectious diseases.

8.       Make sure you spay or neuter your pet. Aggression can sometimes be sparked by its natural tendencies to mate.

While you are working with your dog to keep it healthy and trained, you also must work with your children to teach them appropriate behaviors around dogs and other animals. Teach your child how to treat their own pet and other animals with respect. They should not tease or smack the dog, but handle it with care and kindness. Also, children must learn not to approach strange dogs or try to pet dogs through fences. The animal’s natural instinct is to protect its environment and will strike out if they feel their territory is compromised. Furthermore, it is courteous to teach your child to always ask permission from the dog’s owner before petting an animal. Dog owners should know if their pet will growl or bite and should refuse any strangers to approach their animal.

Most importantly, both the CDC and AVMA strongly encourage families to never leave a baby or small child alone with any sized dog, even if it is their own pet. A baby does not yet understand the animal, nor does the animal understand the baby. Even a small bite to a baby could be a fatal one.

Be smart and prevent dog bites. The AVMA’s website has a variety of resources to help you and your family about dog behaviors and dog bite prevention. Visit them at http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite to obtain some teaching tools. In addition, your veterinarian can also supply you with information on working with your dog to prevent biting.

Dog Bite Emergencies

If you are bitten by a dog, here is a checklist of things you should do:

   1. If the dog's owner is present, request proof of rabies vaccination, and get the owner's name and contact information.

   2. Clean bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.

   3. Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if it's after office hours.

   4. Contact the dog's veterinarian to check vaccination records.

Information obtained from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

References:

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2012). Dog bite prevention. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Dog bit prevention. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/biteprevention.html.

Teaching Others Brings Great Rewards

For the past seven years, I have been coordinating a sports fitness program for children known as Way to Win for Life (better known by the kids as W2W). While the program exists to help increase physical activity among children, this year has seen an unanticipated result among the instructors.

Over the past school year, 11 different sports were introduced to more than 400 children in Crawford County. Most of those sports were taught by members of Allegheny College’s sports teams and clubs while other instructors came from programs at the Meadville Family YMCA. Although the W2W program’s intent was to give the children a unique experience with a new sport, this year’s program presented a special reward to every instructor, all of whom couldn’t place a price on it.

“This time of year is really stressful with finals coming up,” commented one of the members from the Allegheny College Track and Field team. “But, coming to teach the kids this week about track and field has become my stress relief. They are so fun and really have a good time with the sport. It is definitely the highlight of my week.”

Five members of the track team recently taught 200 children from the YMCA’s after-school program the long jump, high jump, javelin throw, relay racing, and many other aspects of the sport. Although the children had just met the college student teachers, many of them handed out hugs at the end of the hour-long session. “It is so rewarding and I felt so good about it,” remarked another student.

Also last month, the Meadville YMCA’s swim instructors led by Aquatics Director Laura Singo gave two groups of 7^th graders, one from Maplewood and the other from Cambridge Springs, lessons at Allegheny College’s pool. Several instructors provided guidance on swim techniques, but the most rewarding was watching students actually learn how to swim for the first time. “It was so enjoyable knowing you were offering these kids a new and important skill,” commented one of the instructors who taught both sessions. “I had to come back for the second group since I had so much fun with the first group!”

Giving of oneself has often been touted as one of the most beneficial aspects of life. Because of the “feel good” sense that comes with giving, the body reacts in such a positive way that it improves overall well-being. Happiness studies have shown that the general giving of the self is a reward in itself; however, when you are teaching others a skill for which you have exceptional passion, the positive reward multiplies exponentially.

That is exactly what had transpired through the 2011-2012 W2W program. Those who taught various sports will reap the positive healthy benefits such as lower blood pressure, improved self-esteem, and increased mental health. So, I would like to recognize those who have not only graciously introduced their sport to the children of Crawford County but they have also gained significant health benefits: Allegheny College’s Kendo Club, Track and Field team, Fencing Club, and Women’s Basketball team; the Meadville Family YMCA’s Modern and Classical Dance Instructor Jacki Moyers, and the YMCA’s Swim Team and Learn to Swim Instructors; and the Saegertown High School Key Club (who taught ultimate Frisbee).

Kudos for being part of a child’s life, and congratulations for improving your own health in the process! Keep on teaching others – it will help you more than it will help your students.

W2W4Life is a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield-funded program offered under the auspices of the Meadville Family YMCA. Any group or school can request the W2W program for their students by contacting me at nina@w2w4life.com. Furthermore, if you have a sports team and would like to reap the benefits of teaching others, contact me at the same email address.