The Blue Dog RSS Feed (EN) http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog The Blue Dog RSS Feed (EN) http://www.thebluedog.org/modules/core/layout/images/rss2.gif http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:29:13 +0100 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:29:13 +0100 en FVE President endorses Blue Dog http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/fve-president-endorses-blue-dog The Federation of Veterinarians in Europe (FVE) is an umbrella organisationof National veterinary associations from 38 European Countries invplved in all animal species. The newly elected President is Cristophe Buhot from France. He recently met Blue Dog chairman Tiny De Keuster in Istanbul.

Cristophe is very supportive of the Blue Dog programme, especially as this fits well with the FVE theme on "one medicine" - stressing the close links between human and animal health. 

 

FVE President endorses Blue Dog written by Ray Butcher in: General

]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:33:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/fve-president-endorses-blue-dog Website features at top European vet conference http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/website-features-at-top-european-vet-conference The Federation of European Companion Animal Veteranary Associations (FECAVA) held their recent annual conference in the beautiful city of Istanbul. Not only did the delegates enjoy the sun and wonderful architecture of the city, but were brought up to date with the developments of the Blue Dog website.

Chairman Tiny DeKeuster and Board member Sarah Heath are seen taking a well earned break. 

 

 

Website features at top European vet conference written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:22:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/website-features-at-top-european-vet-conference Dog Bites continue to be topical http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/dog-bites-continue-to-be-topical The Wylie Veterinary Centre in Upminster,UK, recently held its successful annual open day. Clients enjoyed all the fun of the fair as well as a chance to see behind the scenes at the clinic. Information about dog bites and the development of the Blue Dog programme was displayed and continued to be of interest to clients.

Dog Bites continue to be topical written by Ray Butcher in: General

]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:59:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/dog-bites-continue-to-be-topical Lesson Plans for teachers hailed as useful resource http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/lesson-plans-for-teachers-hailed-as-useful-resource The new Blue Dog website includes a "Teachers' Toolbox. This is a collection of ideas and downloadable resources that can be used in the classroom. This has been developed by teachers from Hacton and Scargill schools in the London Borough of Havering, and includes video clips of the suggested lesson plans in action. This format is thought to be especially useful for teachers of other countries who might not be familiar with some of the UK jargon.  

It is hoped to have this material available by September 2011.

Lesson Plans for teachers hailed as useful resource written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:04:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/lesson-plans-for-teachers-hailed-as-useful-resource Ray Butcher receives Dogs Trust Award http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/ray-butcher-receives-dogs-trust-award Ray Butcher was presented with the Phyllis Mayer Argus Medal by Philip Daubney, the Chairman of Dogs Trust, in recognition of long and distinguished service on behalf of Dogs. The presentation was made at the Palace of Westminster, London.

In accepting the award, Ray stressed the fact that it is impossible to consider animal health and welfare in isolation from that of humans. As veterinarians, we should be promoting family and community health, as well as humanity in general. These thoughts are very much in tune with the aims and objectives of the Blue Dog programme.

Ray Butcher receives Dogs Trust Award written by Ray Butcher in: General

]]> Tue, 24 May 2011 12:42:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/ray-butcher-receives-dogs-trust-award New resource for schools in Serbia http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-resource-for-schools-in-serbia Nikoleta Novak and her colleagues have published a booklet for use in schools to suppliment the Blue Dog CD. We look forward to getting feedback on its use.

New resource for schools in Serbia written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:19:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-resource-for-schools-in-serbia Conference Posters help spread the message http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/conference-posters-help-spread-the-message The Blue Dog team were fortunate to have a number of posters displayed at the recent World accident Prevention Conference. Ray Butcher is pictured with one of the posters stressing the fact that, despite popular belifs, only 20% of bites occur in public places. The vast majority occur within the home by the family dog - young children being the group at greatest risk.

Prevention requires better education of children and their parents to identify and avoid risk situations. So the Blue Dog message is relavent to all families with children.

Conference Posters help spread the message written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:10:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/conference-posters-help-spread-the-message Success at World Accident Conference http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/success-at-world-accident-conference The Blue Dog had good exposure at the recent World Accident Prevention conference held recently at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in London. Tiny De Keuster gave an oral presentation and she, Ray Butcher and kerstin Meints had a number of poster presentations that stimulated interest amongst the delegates.

It is hoped that classifying dog bites in children as an accident in the home will help to widen the shere of infuence of the programme. 

Success at World Accident Conference written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:02:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/success-at-world-accident-conference World Accident Prevention conference 2010 - a great opportunity http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/world-accident-prevention-conference-2010-a-great-opportunity  

Tiny De Keuster and Ray Butcher have been invited to give an oral presentation and a poster presentation at this conference. In addition David Schwebel and Barbara Morrongielo may present their preliminary data on the Blue Dog.

The Trust consider this as a great opportunity to present out programme to professionals working in the field of accident prevention. We have achieved much since the launch in 2006, but have much to learn from others. 


 

World Accident Prevention conference 2010 - a great opportunity written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:54:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/world-accident-prevention-conference-2010-a-great-opportunity Specialist assessment of Kid's corner http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/specialist-assessment-of-kids-corner The Kid's Corner is a very important part of the new Blue Dog website. Much of the artwork has been done by Soraya Verbeke and Bayer (Belgium) have provided welcome funding.

Three and a half year old Nyah De Meester was brought in as the first "expert" to view the programme. She proved to be as critical as her Uncle Rudy (a veterinarian associated with the project), though fortunately her opinion was positive.

Specialist assessment of Kid's corner written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:43:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/specialist-assessment-of-kids-corner New Film - Blue goes to the vet http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-film-blue-goes-to-the-vet Following the animation of the same name, it was decided the Scargill film club would make a new film and act out the characters themselves. They devised the story line and filming took place at the Wylie Veterinary Centre in Upminster, Essex, UK.

The film will be available for viewing on the website, and still pictures of scenes from the filming will be available as a downloadable resource.

New Film - Blue goes to the vet written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:40:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-film-blue-goes-to-the-vet Estonian version now available http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/estonian-version-now-available The Estonian version of the Blue Dog was launched at the recent Estonian Small Animal Veterinary Association (ESAVA) Congress in Talinn. Many thanks to Aet Sileste for all her hard work in achieving this.

Copies can be obtained from the Estonian Small Animal Veterinary Association (ESAVA).

Estonian version now available written by Ray Butcher in: General

]]> Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:54:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/estonian-version-now-available Portuguese version launched at national vet conference http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/portuguese-version-launched-at-national-vet-conference The Portuguese Small Animal Veterinary Association made the Blue Dog a special feature at their recent annual conference. Ray Butcher gave a presentation during a plenary session and also a workshop on their veterinary nurse programme.

During the conference, President Joaquim Viera Lopes was proud to announce the launch of the Portuguese language version of the Blue Dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special thanks must be given to Joaquim Viera Lopes and his whole family for making the Blue Dog happen in Portugal. Pictured from left to right are Rita, Miguel, Cecilia, Joaquim, Philippe and João,  

Portuguese version launched at national vet conference written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Thu, 20 May 2010 18:49:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/portuguese-version-launched-at-national-vet-conference Vet Christine helps with school project in Belgium http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/vet-christine-helps-with-school-project-in-belgium Although the Blue Dog school programme has been developed in the UK, Belgian teachers have been keen to implement the ideas. Veterinarian Christine Halsberghe recently attended a school in Korrijk working in the classroom with the children and a live dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lessons also involved producing artwork based on the Blue Dog stories. The photograph shows teacher Kim ....... working with the children.

Vet Christine helps with school project in Belgium written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Sat, 15 May 2010 16:43:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/vet-christine-helps-with-school-project-in-belgium Scargill Film Club - new release http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/scargill-film-club-new-release STOP PRESS! - The children of the Scargill school film club have just completed a new animated film called “Blue goes to the vet”. This is a follow up to the award winning “Blue goes to the seaside”.

Scargill Film Club - new release written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Mon, 10 May 2010 19:35:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/scargill-film-club-new-release Blue Dog features in new BSAVA behaviour manual http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/blue-dog-features-in-new-bsava-behaviour-manual The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has for many years been acknowledged as a publisher of an excellent series of manuals for the veterinary practitioner. The second edition of the “Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine”, edited by Debra Horwitz and Daniel Mills has recently been published.

The chapter on "aggression toward familiar people and animals" written jointly by Tiny De Keuster and Hildegard Jung features the Blue Dog programme as an option in prevention strategies. This underlines the fact that the scientific community recognises the Blue Dog programme as a valid prevention tool.    

 

Blue Dog features in new BSAVA behaviour manual written by Ray Butcher in: General

]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:50:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/blue-dog-features-in-new-bsava-behaviour-manual Website ideas move on http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/website-ideas-move-on  

 

Teachers Jan Barnett (Hacton School), Judy Munford (Scargill School) and Moira Butcher (Hacton School) take time out to enjoy the sites of Gent following a meeting at the Art School. The meeting was to discuss the evolving ideas of the children’s games to be designed for the new website. 

 

 

 

 

These three teachers from schools within the London borough of Havering have been responsible for developing ideas on how best to integrate the Blue Dog message into schools, and advise on material that should be included in the “Schools Section” of the new website.

The meeting was very positive and the new website is hoped to be ready in the autumn of this year. 

 

 

 

Website ideas move on written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:05:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/website-ideas-move-on "Oscar" for Scargill film club http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/oscar-for-scargill-film-club The children of the Scargill school film club made an animated film using plasticine models, in the style of “Wallace and Gromit”. This is called “Blue goes to the seaside”.

This was shown recently at a meeting in the ArtSchool in Gent. Judy Munford accepted a certificate of merit presented by Willy Van Drel (Gent Artschool), Soraya Verbeke and Tiny De Keuster (Blue Dog Trust).

The film can be viewed on the website.

The film has subsequently been awarded a “HOSCAR” by the London Borough of Havering ( a Havering OSCAR!).

We look forward to the next film.

"Oscar" for Scargill film club written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:09:00 +0100 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/oscar-for-scargill-film-club New Horizons for the Blue Dog http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-horizons-for-the-blue-dog  

Tiny De Keuster takes time out from lecturing at the North American Veterinary Conference in Florida to negotiate the next language version of the Blue Dog.

The conference was very succesful for the Blue Dog and the message well recived by veterinarians and behaviourists attending.

 

New Horizons for the Blue Dog written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:27:00 +0100 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-horizons-for-the-blue-dog Dog bites as an accident in the home - Cardiff conference 2009 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/dog-bites-as-an-accident-in-the-home-cardiff-conference-2009 Tiny De Keuster and Ray Butcher were invited to have a stand at the exhibition during this conference. It was important to meet professionals involved in accident prevention in general. Most delegates had not considered dog bites as an accident in the home – hopefully the Blue Dog message may change stereotypic attitudes and open up new avenues for promotion of the message.

Dog bites as an accident in the home - Cardiff conference 2009 written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:12:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/dog-bites-as-an-accident-in-the-home-cardiff-conference-2009 Scargill School becomes a new partner http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/scargill-school-becomes-a-new-partner  

Scargill school, within the London Borough of Havering, has become a new partner to take on the Blue Dog project. Deputy Head teacher Judy Munford is the leader but there is enthusiasm throughout the staff. 

 Ray Butcher of the Wylie Veterinary Centre came in to talk to the children with in the classroom – “this is part of our community involvement policy, and we are very happy to be involved in schools”. 

 

 

 

As a follow up, Judy arranged a talk to the parents – this is a crucial step in the long term success of the programme as it is important the parents know what the children are talking about. 


 

Scargill School becomes a new partner written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:01:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/scargill-school-becomes-a-new-partner Blue Dog Trust funds new research in USA and Canada http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/blue-dog-trust-funds-new-research-in-usa-and-canada The Blue Dog Trust are pleased to announce that it has provided funds for some research to be carried out on the efficacy of the Blue Dog programme. This is to be undertaken jointly by David Schwebel of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Barbara Morrongiello of the University of Guelph, Canada. 

In announcing this, Trust Chairman Tiny De Keuster commented “we are really excited by this. Both David and Barbara are very well respected researchers in the field of accident prevention and so for them to want to work on the Blue Dog is a great compliment for us”.

 

It is hoped some preliminary results will be available for the Child Accident Prevention Conference to be held in London September 2009.   


Blue Dog Trust funds new research in USA and Canada written by Ray Butcher in: Research

]]> Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:54:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/blue-dog-trust-funds-new-research-in-usa-and-canada Dog Bites feature in the Public Health impacts of keeping dogs. http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/dog-bites-feature-in-the-public-health-impacts-of-keeping-dogs Ray Butcher organised a day’s seminar during the recent 2009 WSAVA Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil The theme was considerations related to dog population control, especially where these impact on human public health. This was in tune with the “one medicine” philosophy in which it is thought impossible to consider animal health and human health in isolation. 

The subjects discussed included current thinking about humane methods dog population management. Zoonotic diseases that were of special relevance to South America included rabies and leishmaniasis. Tiny De Keuster gave a presentation of dog bites.


Dog Bites feature in the Public Health impacts of keeping dogs. written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:12:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/dog-bites-feature-in-the-public-health-impacts-of-keeping-dogs Belgian Vet Practice open day gives ideas for kids http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/belgian-vet-practice-open-day-gives-ideas-for-kids The Blue Dog features at the open day of the Veterinary Centre Binnenhof, Beerse, Belgium. The children had a lot of fun and some of the ideas may well be useful for the Teachers' Toolbox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The face masks seemed especially popular. 

Belgian Vet Practice open day gives ideas for kids written by Ray Butcher in: Schools

]]> Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:43:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/belgian-vet-practice-open-day-gives-ideas-for-kids Training the Trainers programme progressing http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/training-the-trainers-programme-progressing The team involved with promoting the Blue Dog in Belgium found that the work load was too much for so few people. The solution was to coach others with the skills to give presentations and the resources to do so. So the "Train the Trainers" programme was started. The picture shows one of the veterinary team, Magda Westhovens, passing on her knowledge to delegates at the meeting at Herk De Stad.

 

 

 

The delegates look on with interest - if not a little bemused!

Training the Trainers programme progressing written by Ray Butcher in: General

]]> Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:43:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/training-the-trainers-programme-progressing New fim a success in Thai commercial exhibition http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-fim-a-success-in-thai-commercial-exhibition One of the early marketting problems we faced was to make people think the cartoon Blue Dog related to real life. To help with this, a film animation was made by Soraya Verbeke and ........ which used real people as well as the Blue Dog cartonn acting out a scene from the CD. This was formed into a loop and was successful in attracting delegates to the Blue Dog booth at conferences.

New fim a success in Thai commercial exhibition written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Sat, 02 May 2009 21:03:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/new-fim-a-success-in-thai-commercial-exhibition Thai conference useful to make more contacts http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/thai-conference-useful-to-make-more-contacts The Veterinary Practitioners Association of Thailand (VPAT) conference attracts delegates from all over Asia. It was therefore an excellent opportunity to make new contacts for the future. Pictured are Ray Butcher and Tiny De keuster with three veterinary colleagues from Sri Lanka. The Blue Paw Trust in Sri Lanka do have education programmes for children using puppets. This is to reduce the incidence of dog bites as rabies is endemic in this country.

Thai conference useful to make more contacts written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Sat, 02 May 2009 16:43:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/thai-conference-useful-to-make-more-contacts The Blue Dog at the VPAT Conference Thailand 2009 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/the-blue-dog-at-the-vpat-conference-thailand-2009 Tiny De Keuster and Ray Butcher were invited by the Veterinary Practitioners Association of Thailand to give a presentation and workshop on the Blue Dog Programme. Delegates attended from many neighbouring Asian countries so this was very useful to introduce the programme to a wider audience. 

In addition we had a stand in an exhibition area that was open to the general public.

The Blue Dog at the VPAT Conference Thailand 2009 written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Fri, 01 May 2009 18:59:00 +0200 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/the-blue-dog-at-the-vpat-conference-thailand-2009 The Blue Dog at the Belgian Paediatricians conference 2010 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/the-blue-dog-at-the-belgian-paediatricians-conference-2010  

Tiny De Keuster was invited to give an oral presentation about the Blue Dog programme and how it was essential to address the issue from a multi-discipline approach. This helped to strengthen the liaison between veterinarians and human doctors within Belgium in the consideration of dog bite injuries and possible prevention strategies.


 

The Blue Dog at the Belgian Paediatricians conference 2010 written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:06:00 +0100 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/the-blue-dog-at-the-belgian-paediatricians-conference-2010 The Blue Dog at the European Paediatricians conference 2008 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/the-blue-dog-at-the-european-paediatricians-conference-2008

Tiny De Keuster was invited to give an oral presentation on the development of the Blue Dog programme at the European Paediatrics Conference held in Nice 2008. This was part of a session on child accident prevention. This was relatively poorly attended compared with other sessions, perhaps indicating that prevention is less “sexy” than other medical disciplines! The chairman of the session commented on this and went on to say that the number of children dying in Europe as a result of accidents is greater than those dying from disease.  

In addition the Trust had a poster presentation that attracted much interest.

Useful contacts were made and we are looking forward to the Child Accident Prevention Conference to be organised in Cardiff in 2009. 

The Blue Dog at the European Paediatricians conference 2008 written by Ray Butcher in: Conferences

]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:58:00 +0100 http://www.thebluedog.org/en/blog/p/detail/the-blue-dog-at-the-european-paediatricians-conference-2008