Since children often drive families’ decisions about dog ownership, one of Dog-Harmony’s greatest focuses remains on the relationship between children and dogs, developing programs to promote positive interactions through proper behavior.
Library and Facility Outreach
Did You Know?
- Each year, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, with 1 in 5 needing medical attention, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
- More than half of all victims are children, with the highest rate among ages 5 to 9.
- Most bites are caused by the family dog or the pet of a neighbor or relative.
- Studies show that through interacting with animals, children develop greater empathy and kindness in addition to self-esteem, confidence, and social skills.
We have partnered with local libraries and non-profits serving children to provide free humane education classes, equipping students with easy-to-follow tips on interacting with dogs. These classes teach children proper ways to interact and play with dogs, dog body language, signs of stress and fear, in addition to the key elements of responsible pet ownership, team building, and compassion for animals.
Our Book: Human & Dog-Harmony
Dog-Harmony partnered with a local artist to develop supplementary materials for its workshops, and in this process, Human & Dog-Harmony was written. While created to be utilized in tandem with our school workshops, this book is an excellent resource for parents to teach their children the elements of being a responsible pet owner along with the proper ways to pet and play with dogs, dog body language, and how to react if a dog bites.
Human & Dog-Harmony can be purchased on Amazon.