The Insurance Information Institute reported Dog Bite Cases as soaring to these levels:

• Bite cases account for nearly 25% of all homeowners insurance claims.
• Seven out of ten dog bite victims are children (www.dogbitelaw.com).
• Since 1997 three defendants have been successfully charged with murder as a result of a dog's actions (the latest, of course, in the tragic Diane Whipple case in San Francisco).
• The N.Y. Times (March 9, 2004) quoted a study indicating that 20% of reported bite victims had medical bills exceeding $17,000 and 10% had medical bills exceeding $75,000.
• In 2002, claims paid in bite cases totaled $345 million and averaged $16,600 per claim.
• There were 4.7 million bites in 1999 (latest data), 800,000 involving medical attention.

In order to live with, work with and safely handle dogs you must be able to read their body language and facial expressions. These sessions will take you step-by-step through the process of interpreting the often complex and subtle signals dogs give us.

Aggressive dogs tell us they are going to bite long before they growl, snarl or bite. You will develop and hone your skills by viewing extensive video footage and viewing live demos.

A realistic appraisal: what kinds and degrees of aggression are manageable and which are not. A review of selected rehabilitation techniques.

In a presentation titled "Dog Bite Law - How to Use It and Keep It From Biting You", Mr. Phillips will address the following issues among many others: What are your legal risks when you adopt out a dog that exhibits aggressive behavior or that has an aggression or bite history? What duty does a private person, animal control officer, adoptions manager or rescuer have to disclose observations of aggressive behavior?

Behavior of Shelters, Trainers, Homeowners and Rescue Groups that jeopardizes insurance protection: by increasing the risk that their existing insurance carrier will seek to deny coverage on a claim or non renew coverage. Guidelines for preventing 3rd party claims and protecting employees, volunteers and the existing liability coverage.

Dangers for the industry from fewer carriers willing to write bite coverage. Why it's happening. Specific threat posed by this trend for Shelters, Rescuers, Trainers and Homeowners. Actions they can take to counter the trend. Kinds of coverage to seek, and recommended liability limits.

Learn how to keep yourself safe when dealing with aggressive or potentially aggressive dogs. Live demonstrations will enhance your observations and skills in emergency situations. You will see examples of high-speed muzzling techniques, as well as leash and pole handling techniques reserved for dangerous situations. You will get hands on experience at emergency roping for use in a crisis. General Safety Guidelines will also be addressed.

WES ARTOPE is the former Director of Operations at New York City's Center for Animal Care & Control, the City's Municipal open admissions shelter. In this capacity Wes was responsible for staff that might encounter a dangerous dog in that environment. His specialized techniques relate, in part, to that tenure, but can be applied in many situations. Wes is currently Executive Director of the J. Tyler Foundation. He also serves as a behavioral consultant, trainer and lecturer on animal care throughout the New York/Tri-state area, He is a licensed vet tech, certified lab animal technologist and licensed animal rehabilitator.

SHARON BENDER is the principal insurance representative of the Kennel Pak Animal Shelter program at Gentzler & Smith Assoc., Inc. She provides coverage for nearly 500 non profit humane societies, animal shelters, spca's and rescues nationally. Her colleague covers some 2500 kennels, groomers, veterinarians, professional trainers and kennel clubs nationally.

Kennel Pak started 20 years ago by agency owners who realized the need for professionals and entities in animal care to have a reliable source for insurance needs.

Sharon has been with kennel pak for 12 years, assisting shelters not only in the property/casualty area, but also writing life, health and disability insurance.

She has attended animal care conferences for many years including hsus and aha, and has been a speaker at the federated humane societies of pa. Conference.

TRISH KING is the Director of the Animal Behavior & Training Department at the Marin Humane Society in Marin County, California. Department programs include behavior consultations with the public, dog training classes (including classes for aggressive dogs), evaluations of adoption dogs, and training classes specifically geared for dogs up for adoption. She has been instrumental in implementing innovative programs to help screen incoming animals, and train dogs while they wait for adoption. Department staff includes 15 instructors and behavior counselors and 45 volunteer assistants.

Ms. King teaches workshops and seminars on behavior, canine management, consultations, temperament assessment, and handling difficult dogs. She established the Canine Consultant/Instructor Academy at the Marin Humane Society for new or interested trainers, a weekly program which covers training theory and, handling dogs and teaching people. She is a member of the panel that put together the Delta Society's Professional Standards for Dog Trainers: Effective, Humane Principles. She has spoken nationally at several well-known venues, including APDT Conferences, HSUS and AHA. She wrote the Dog Training Manual, Dog Sense, and has just completed work on another book for the dog owning public. Trish has a formerly stray, anxious German Shepherd, one sweet female Belgian Tervuren, one challenging rescued Cairn Terrier, one husband and one teenage daughter.

KENNETH PHILLIPS Kenneth Phillips received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He clerked for a Supreme Court Justice of the California Supreme Court, and is admitted to practice law throughout California and the Ninth Circuit Federal Court. He has served as a consultant to attorneys, legislators and animal control personnel throughout the United States and around the world.

Phillips has been an attorney since 1976 and has practiced personal injury law since 1979. He started representing accident victims when his young cousin's hand was crushed in a high school printing press which had no safety devices. That case led him to realize the need to represent people who became disfigured or disabled. He began specializing in serious dog bite claims in 1993, representing victims both inside and outside of California, and today his law practice is dedicated to representing dog-bite victims.

The Today Show called him "the dog-bite king of the legal universe." A feature article about him in Lawyers Weekly was entitled "Meet the Dog Bite King." Time Magazine called him "California's leading dog-bite lawyer." The Los Angeles Times said he is "the nation's best-known practitioner of terrier torts." He has been profiled in People Magazine and has appeared on television and radio, and in numerous newspapers and magazines throughout the United States.

Phillips wrote the on-line legal treatise Dog Bite Law - www.dogbitelaw.com - the most extensive research site for dog bite victims, dog owners, parents, journalists and others needing to learn about the legal rights of victims, how to protect children, and other aspects of the dog bite epidemic. He also is the author of What To Do If Your Dog Is Injured Or Killed, a self-help book for dog owners, and Dog Bite Litigation Forms for Plaintiffs' Lawyers.

He travels throughout the United States and speaks to many different groups, including dog owners, canine professionals, and attorneys. Kenneth Phillips was born in New York and lives in Los Angeles. The Law Offices of Kenneth Morgan Phillips are in Century City, CA.

SUE STERNBERG is the head of Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, a community not-for-profit animal shelter which serves both the local (upstate New York) community as well as runs national programs, such as Training Wheels, dedicated to ensuring the quality of life of animals in their community and at animal shelters as well as safe animal adoptions, around the world. She has over 23 years of canine behavior experience, including as an animal control officer, a behavior consultant at the ASPCA, a kennel and animal shelter owner, a successful competitor in a variety of dog sports, and a teacher of dog trainers. Since 1993, she has operated a not-for-profit animal shelter in rural New York called Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, which is featured in an HBO documentary called Shelter Dogs (www.shelterdogs.org). Her most recent shelter guide book is Great Dog Adoptions: A Guide for Shelters (Latham Foundation Press, 2002, www.latham.org). Her first book written for the general public on adopting a great dog was published in September '03, through Wiley Publishing. Sue has five dogs and two cats (all adopted), and shares her yard with a host of adopted farm animals. She is an accomplished fiddle player, a mineral and fossil collector, loves Earl Grey tea, and is a major Star Trek fan. Photo

DOG STUFF
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME. No dogs attendees' pet dogs are allowed in the conference room. If you cannot leave your dog at home, your dog must be confined safely and quietly in your vehicle (weather permitting).

Sue will be working with shelter dogs and presenting video clips of dogs throughout the conference.

Our main concern continues to be the care and safety of the dogs. Due to past compliance difficulties, Puppyworks reserves the right to remove any dog or person from Marin Humane Society property if our dog rules are not adhered to or if individuals put their dogs at risk. Please note, the property of the Marin Humane Society is under the control of the Marin County Animal Service Officers who act independently of Puppyworks.

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE
During the conference, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside while the speaker is presenting.

VIDEOTAPING
No videotaping or audiotaping, please.

BABIES
The presence of a baby is likely to be distracting to other participants, so we ask that you refrain from bringing any babies or very young children into the lecture hall.

BOOKS & TOYS, ETC. FOR SALE
A selection of books, videos and toys will be available for sale.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Wednesday, February 16, 2005.

REFUND POLICY
Full refund issued if requested by email or phone no later than Wednesday, February 16, 2005. Refunds requested after Wednesday, February 16, 2005 will be issued a 50% credit slip (less food purchases) that may be applied to future Puppyworks educational events. No refunds or credits after 12:00 noon (EST) Friday, February 18, 2005.

PARKING
Please park your vehicle in the dirt parking lot to the right of the Humane Society or on the side streets. NO PARKING IN THE MAIN OR BACK LOTS ALLOWED. These lots must be made available to shelter visitors and employees.

FROM H101 SOUTH: Exit Bel Marin Keys Blvd., turn left at first light toward Bel Marin Keys Blvd., turn right at Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Humane Society is on your left.

FROM H101 NORTH: Exit Bel Marin Keys Blvd., go east over the freeway. Humane Society is on your left at the first light.

BEST WESTERN NOVATO OAKS 215 Alameda del Prado Novato, CA 415-883-4400 or 800-625-7466 www.renesonhotels.com DOGS ALLOWED All rooms have refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and boards. Complimentary continental breakfast buffet each morning. Novato's newest destination restaurant, The Wild Fox, on property with room service available. ***Complimentary van shuttle service to Marin Humane Society and return. HOTEL PET RULES: Dogs are allowed however with a $50.00 refundable deposit at check in. If no damage is done to hotel property they refund this deposit. Dogs should be crated while in hotel guest room when left unattended. Dog walking areas outside of hotel, clean up expected. COURTYARD by MARRIOTT 1400 N Hamilton Pkwy Novato, CA 415-883-8950 NO DOGS ALLOWED

INN MARIN 250 Entrada Dr. Novato, CA 800-652-6565 www.innmarin.com DOGS ALLOWED Pet friendly property with pet walking areas and waste stations on 5 acre site. Exercise room, guest laundry and complimentary shuttle to and from the Marin Humane Society is available. Guest room features include hair dryers, coffee makers (new) irons & boards, speaker phones with 2 lines, data ports, and guest room DSL. HOTEL PET RULES: Any damage sustained to the hotel rooms as the result of an unmanaged pet will be the responsibility of the guest renting the room and appropriate repair or cleaning charges will be levied. They require that any pets left in guest rooms unattended be crated. BOARDING KENNELS Atherton Acres, 415-897-7311 Bridewell Hilltop, 415-897-5471 Country Inn, 415-897-6022 Happy Pets Inn (in Sonoma), 707-939-1919

For registration inquiries, contact:
email: events@puppyworks.com