Philadelphia, Pa. – AVMA Convention – (July 23, 2004)
Teaching children about the important issue of heartworm disease is thegoal of a new grammar school section on the American HeartwormSociety’s website. The new site, underwritten by Fort Dodge AnimalHealth, provides entertainment for children ages five through 15, andat the same time educates kids about the importance of raising ahealthy and happy pet.
Dr. Sheldon Rubin, Secretary-Treasurer of the AmericanHeartworm Society said, “Teaching children the responsibilitiesinvolved in taking care of a pet is one of the many steps in developingthe young person into a caring and compassionate individual. Thedangers of heartworm disease and the proper care of pets are just a fewof the many lessons our website will teach children with the hope ofdeveloping a lasting impression on these young minds.”
The new grammar school section introduces two new cartooncharacters, a dog named Jake and a cat named Ginger, who teach childrenabout the importance of twice-a-year veterinary health exams, properexercise and heartworm prevention medication through the use ofcoloring pages and games. The objective of the new section is to reachout to a younger audience promoting heartworm disease education throughfun and educational activities.
Fort Dodge Animal Health agrees that teaching children aboutresponsible pet care should start at an early age. “We are pleased topartner with the American Heartworm Society to help teach theimportance of heartworm disease. Our goal is to reach out to as manychildren as possible by providing beneficial information on properhealthcare for pets,” said Craig Wallace, Director of Companion AnimalBusiness, Domestic Sales and Marketing, Fort Dodge Animal Health.
To view the American Heartworm Society’s new grammar school section, click on the following website at www.heartwormsociety.org,then download the coloring pages and games. Also added to the new siteare frequently asked questions addressing the issues of heartwormdisease.
Founded during the Heartworm Symposium of 1974, the AmericanHeartworm Society was formed to facilitate and encourage the generationand dissemination of information about heartworm disease and encouragesadoption of standardized procedures for its diagnosis, treatment andprevention. The American Heartworm Society stimulates and financiallysupports research, which furthers knowledge and understanding of thedisease. Its headquarters are located in Batavia, IL.