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, details of behavior modification and counter conditioning management plans.

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.

Learn how to avoid liability for accidents that happen during and after you train, shelter or adopt-out. Attorney Kenneth Phillips covers five "hot" legal issues for canine professionals: legal liability for dog bites and negligence; avoiding liability for dog bites on your premises; avoiding liability after adopting out a dog; a client's liability to you if his or her dog bites you; and the special rules for animal control agencies and humane societies.

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.

RENEE HARRIS Senior Director of Animal Services at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA (SDHS) sets policy and oversees the Receiving, Animal Care, Adoptions, Veterinary Services, Investigations, Behavior and Training departments. She joined SDHS in 2002 with nearly 30 years of animal care and welfare experience. She has developed and implemented a comprehensive, 250-hour training curriculum on canine and feline behavior; canine behavior assessment; shelter sanitation, veterinary practices; small pets; adoption & behavior counseling; and specie-specific identification. The program is offered several times a year and includes attendance from other animal welfare organizations including the San Diego County Department of Animal Services, Chula Vista Animal Control, and Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Harris also provides training presentations and workshops on local, state and national levels including the Humane Society of United States, Petco sponsored Adoption Options, and the California State Humane Academy. She is a member of the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA).

Renee's household includes her life-long partner in crime, a teenage son, a bloodhound, two Chihuahua mixes and four cats. All pets, of course, were adopted from a shelter.

KENNETH PHILLIPS the nation's leading authority in dog-bite law 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. Unfortunately because this is a restaurant facility, no dogs are allowed in the conference.

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
Thursday, September 29, 2005.

REFUND POLICY
Full refund issued if requested by email or phone no later than Wednesday, September 28, 2005. Refunds requested after Wednesday, September 28, 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 Friday, September 30, 2005.

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