News Releases
Fifth Grader Gives Dog Safety Presentation
Who:
Kelly Voigt, Nancy Skeffington and her dog, Casey
What:
Presentation on dog safety
Where:
Pleasant Hill School, 434 W. Illinois, Palatine
When:
Friday, May 2; 9:15-10:30 a.m.
Details:
Kelly Voigt, a fifth grader at Pleasant Hill School, knows how dangerous a dog attack can be. In 1999, when she was just 7, Kelly was seriously injured by a neighborhood dog, suffering severe lacerations and puncture wounds that required approximately 100 stitches in her face and neck.
Following the attack, Kelly was treated by a psychologist for post-traumatic stress syndrome and depression. The psychologist suggested Kelly become an expert on the subject of dog bites and use her experience to help other children avoid a similar attack. Since that time, Kelly has shared her knowledge and experience with several hundred students in District 15. In the past, Kelly has worked with Nancy Skeffington of The Learning Academy and her golden retriever, Casey, a certified therapy dog.
May 18-24 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. More than 4.7 million people are attacked every year in the U.S., with more than 750,000 of the victims requiring medical treatment. The majority of those attacked are children, and most of the injuries incurred are facial. Dog bites account for more emergency room visits than do skateboards, in-line skates, baby walkers and all-terrain vehicles combined.
For more information, contact:
Bob Tenczar, director of communications, (847) 963-3212 or Pleasant Hill School, (847) 963-5900
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