Sit! Speak! Educate!

Referring your clients to certified trainers and behaviorists—and promoting early socialization and training all year long—is the best way to prevent aggression and bites. But National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 20 to 26) is quickly approaching, so it's a good time to gear up. The AVMA, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will advise the public to seek council from you. Here are some ideas to help you promote bite awareness:

• Develop an educational display for your reception area. Research Web resources to find posters, brochures, and other items you can display to educate clients.

• Place a creative advertisement in local newspapers or offer to do an interview on bite prevention.

• Do you have a team member with a calm, child-savvy, unflappable dog—preferably an insured and registered therapy dog? Take them along for bite prevention workshops at schools and target the highest-risk children: those ages 5 through 9. Create interesting classroom sessions using materials and videos from the AVMA.

Pookie, a registered therapy dog, visited a summer camp where she helped educate kids about bites.

Send team members out in pairs for controlled discussions, role-playing, and to teach children how to safely meet the friendly dog. Materials you send home for parents help brand your practice. And often good word spreads—other schools may contact you for future visits.

Marlene Wagner, a certified dog trainer, heads up the canine behavior-training program at Nassau Veterinary Clinic in Nassau, N.Y.