The Australian Directory of Human Animal Interaction Programs

Responsible Pet Ownership Education Program

The Responsible Pet Ownership Education Program caters for three target audiences: primary school children, preschool children (and their parents) and prospective and new parents. The “Schools Program” has visited thousands of Victorian Primary Schools, educating more than one million children. The Program offers free visits by trained pet educators and their temperament tested pets. Visits cover the concepts of choosing a pet, registration, pet housing and husbandry, and in particular, safety around dogs in order to prevent dog attacks. Research showing that children under 5 years of age are at particular risk of serious dog attack injury initiated an extension of the Schools Program in 2003. The "Living Safely with Dogs” program is delivered to approximately 50,000 pre-school children and 18,000 parents each year. It involves educating both children and their parents about safety with dogs. The “We are Family” Program is a guide to nurturing the child / pet relationship. It is aimed at educating expectant and new parents on the many advantages of allowing their child to experience the joys of having a pet in the family. It also informs parents of the potential risks, and provides the knowledge and strategies to ensure that the experience is not only a physically and emotionally enriching one, but a safe one as well.

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