GLENDALE (June 21, 2008) –Do your children know enough about dog safety to determine whether Rover’s bark is worse than his bite?  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 800,000 Americans reported being bitten last year.  Of these, 600,000 were children.

On Saturday, June 28, 2008, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s Dog Therapy program will present a FREE interactive workshop that will provide school-aged children with the necessary tools and safety tips to remain safe around most dogs.

The Banner Thunderbird Dog Safety Workshop is being held from 10:00 a.m. to NOON in conference rooms 1,2 and 3, located at the east end, lower level of the hospital.

Through fun and play, participating children will be instructed on how to behave in different scenarios involving both strange dogs and dogs they know.  They’ll also take turns role-playing so they can see things from a dog’s perspective and draw pictures related to a dog safety tip they’ve learned.  Children in attendance will also receive a bite prevention coloring book.

For more information, or to reserve a space for your child, please contact Gail Meserve at (623) 979-4861.

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is located at 5555 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale.

About Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, part of Banner Health—a nonprofit health system with 21 hospitals throughout the West—is a 374-bed acute-care hospital featuring a behavioral health center, children’s center and dedicated outpatient center.  Banner Thunderbird is fully accredited by the Joint Commission.