BF Kids
Community Outreach

As part of our community outreach programs, BF volunteers make presentations at local civic groups and schools. In anticipation of these school visits, Bill Foundation is currently producing a series of videos aimed at teaching our non-reading supporters, aka toddlers and preschoolers, all about caring for the canine members of their family and how they can help with that care. Starring children, the videos are approximately two minutes each in length and when completed will consist of a series of ten: "Always Ask First" which deals with meeting a strange dog, Feeding your Pet, Treats, Clean Fresh Water, Playtime, A trip to the Vet, Going on a Walk, Riding in the Car, Petting Etiquette and Potty Training.

On July 15th, BF was invited to the Camelot Preschool in Silver Lake to talk with the children about responsible pet ownership. BF feels that reaching children at an early age will create a lifetime of respect not only for animals but for other humans as well. Linda, who is currently producing the series of BF Kids videos, told us "This age group is so important in shaping attitudes. If we can reach children this young about the importance of kindness and treating animals as valuable lives, we feel they will carry this attitude into adulthood." The videos are geared to non-reading children and are perfect for watching with parents.

BF volunteers met with two separate groups of 2, 3 and 4 year olds. The presentation kicked off with a viewing of the BF Kids 8 minute video. After the viewing, there was a question and answer period. Each child shared with the group the pets they had at home and how they were helping their family take care of their pet. Then there was a special surprise in that the volunteers brought along two dogs so the children could practice "meeting a dog". Covered in one portion of the BF Kids video was "How to meet a Strange Dog"  BF has discovered over the years that children will run up to our rescues at the fair and not properly meet a dog. While at our fairs there are plenty of volunteers to intercede, we felt this an important skill for children to learn and use out in the real world. Sadly, even a lot of adults aren't aware of how to meet a dog. So after viewing the video, each child was given a chance to meet one of the dogs and run through the drill. At the school were two former BF rescues – Fritz – who is now a certified therapy dog and her pet parent, Pat. And little Izzy, who just LOVES children.

Once complete, the videos will be free and can be viewed on our website as well as our YouTube Channel. We hope you will watch them with your children and use them to discuss not only how to care for your family pet but how to treat animals in general.

Here's a sneak peek.