Dog attacks are a nationwide issue and pose a double tragedy to the victim and the fate of the dog. Dog bites and injury to veterinarians, staff, and pet professionals, are often considered an occupational hazard. Many of the situations that may result in a dog bite can be prevented by understanding the language and emotions of dogs.
In this webinar, dog trainer and author Victoria Stilwell will talk about dog body language, behavior, and how to safely interact with dogs as part of National Dog Bite Prevention Week. She will provide information to help pet professionals and pet owners recognize and respond to situations that can result in a dog bite or injury.
Victoria will be joined by State Farm Brand Specialist Heather Paul to discuss dog bite insurance claims data for 2018, dog bite liability, and how the insurance company is working to reduce dog-related injuries as a member of the Dog Bite Prevention Coalition.
Join us for Reducing Dog Bites by Understanding the Secret Language of Dogs on Monday, April 8, 2019, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This free webinar is made possible by a sponsorship from State Farm.
Register here.
About the Presenters
Victoria Stilwell
Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer, TV personality, author, and public speaker best known as the star of the international hit TV series Greatest American Dog and It’s Me or the Dog, through which she reaches audiences in over 120 countries.
The torchbearer for force-free positive reinforcement dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com, the CEO of both Victoria Stilwell, Inc. and Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training (VSPDT) — the world’s premier global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers — and the president and founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy of Dog Training and Behavior. A co-founder of the National Dog Bite Prevention Task Force, Stilwell is also committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation, working closely with organizations around the world to increase awareness about puppy mills, dog fighting, animal abuse, pet overpopulation, dog bite prevention, breed-specific legislation, and other animal-related issues.
Appearing frequently in the global media, Stilwell is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior. She serves on the Advisory Boards of DogTV, Dognition, RedRover, and Canine Assistants. She is also the CEO of the Victoria Stilwell Foundation, providing animal behavior expertise and funding to smaller rescue shelters and positive training-based canine assistance organizations.
Heather Paul
Heather Paul joined State Farm in 2001 as a Public Affairs Specialist, leading PR campaigns for State Farm focused on innovation and technology, dog bite prevention, and teaching children about the value of being kind to animals.
She also coordinates the State Farm Arson Dog Program, which trains accelerant detection canines and handlers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Her work with accelerant detection canine teams has resulted in her appointment to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) communication committee.
Outside of her corporate life, Heather works closely with many local nonprofit organizations and boards. She is a founder and past executive board member for the West Bloomington Revitalization Project (WBRP) and has served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of McLean County and the Miller Park Zoological Society. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociocultural Anthropology. In her spare time, Heather has obtained the rank of third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, first degree black belt in Hapkido, and first degree black belt in Jujitsu. She is also an FAA-licensed drone pilot, a photographer, and videographer and shares her home with her 17-year-old son, Hunter, and their fur kids — two guinea pigs, two pit bulls, and one Pug.