A local rescue is offering an important program designed to educate all members of the family before adding a dog to the mix.

Bleu's K9 Rescue Bite Prevention Program Visits Hudson Valley Schools

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed a handful of posts from a local animal rescue. However, it wasn't the post we usually see trying to find homes for furry friends.

Bleu's K9 Rescue, based throughout the Hudson Valley but centralized in Orange and Ulster Counties, was visiting local grade schools to present a Bite Prevention Program.

We reached out to the rescue to hear more about what they're teaching young animal lovers here in the Hudson Valley and we learned a lot!

Diana Algarin, Mary Eriksen and Ashley German are all Bite Prevention Educators and part of the Bleu's K9 Rescue team. They visit schools with kids of all ages and present to summer camps and groups like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

The rising number of dog bits in children has been part of the inspiration for these programs according to Bleu's K9 Rescue. Algarin tell us "I thought it was an essential part of adopting dogs out - EDUCATING. I feel education and dog rescue go hand in hand."

Adding:

 Over 4.5 million people are bit by dogs each year! And half of that number are children! And within those children over 70% are friends or family dogs. NOT dogs they don't know. Crazy stats that I could not just sit there and watch grow.

Local HV Rescue Organization Works To Beat The "Bully Breed" Stereotype

Bleu and Kima are the 2 dogs that assist the Bleu's K9 team as they share their Bite Prevention Knowledge.

These pups fall under the Pitbull breed, which unfortunately comes with a stereotype.  Diana shares that some schools weren't comfortable with the breed of dog used for the Bite Prevention Program.

Bleu's K9 Rescue
Bleu's K9 Rescue
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However, this is all part of the rescuing education process. Algarin writes:

We explain to the kids (if they are old enough to understand) how there are many breeds under the bully breed umbrella - that the word 'Pitbull' is taken way out of proportion.  We explain that Bleu and Kima are both bully mixes. They get to witness first hand how docile and friendly they are.

 Bite Prevention Education: What You Should Know

During the Bite Prevention Program, the Bleu's team will teach the group about understanding a dogs body language.

They say this is super important and the first lesson they go over. That's followed by the proper way to meet a dog, with a short demo where the children get to come up and meet/pet Bleu.

We hear this demo is very popular among the students!

There are also demos about what to do if they run into a loose dog ("stand like a tree, then lay like a log") and canine enrichment.
Diana, Bleu's K9 Rescue
Diana, Bleu's K9 Rescue
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During the enrichment portion of the demo Kima will run through an agility tunnel, jump over 3 small jumps and then have some fun chasing bubbles.

Bleu's K9 Rescue Looking For Fosters and Forever Families

Bleu's K9 Rescue has been fostering and rescuing dogs since 2017. Currently, there are 4 dogs up for adoption through the rescue if you're interested in adopting through Bleu's you can call or text them at 845-527-0797 or email us at bk9rescue@gmail.com.

They also recommend reaching out to them through Facebook or Instagram. 

Bleu's K9 is also in dire need of fosters. They explain to us that the organization "pays for and provides ALL supplies needed the whole time the foster dog is with the family."

They will evaluate each dog that comes into Bleu's to make sure they are family friendly. The rescue explains how great fostering is for the whole family writing:

 It's a great thing for a family to do together. Teaches responsibility and compassion. It's truly very rewarding.

Learn more about Bleu's K9 Rescue and how to adopt or foster on their website BleusK9Rescue.org.  

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