Noise phobia in pets induces panic and may result in dogs and cats making a choice between “fight or flight”. Some pets can become so fearful and panicked that they bite, including their owner or family members. Other pets may tremble in fear and try to hide in a closet or under furniture. And some dogs and cats may decide to run away to escape the loud noises. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day for animal shelters, many filled to capacity with pets that panicked at the sound of firecrackers. 
 

Make a plan to keep your pet safe and secure during fireworks

As pet owners, we are responsible for keeping our pets safe and healthy. That includes having a plan to make your pet secure during loud celebrations and firework displays. Consider these tips to make the celebrations less stressful for you and your pets:

• Exercise you dog beforehand to help them relax
• Keep them at home and indoors in a quiet room or crate
• Make sure windows and doors are closed and secure
• Turn on a fan, TV, or play soft music to help create white noise
• Make certain that your pets have I.D. tags with up-to-date information
• Provide your pet with their favorite toy or blanket to give them comfort
• Talk to your veterinarian if your dog or cat requires medication to help ease their anxiety

Watch out for potentially dangerous debris on the ground 
 

• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
• Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
• If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Bonus tip: Protect your dog or cat this summer and beyond

The best way to protect your pet, no matter the season, is to talk to your State Farm^® agent about how a pet medical insurance with Trupanion can help protect your pets, or start your free, no-obligation quote online.

In 2020, State Farm paid nearly $157 million dollars for over 3,185 dog-related injury claims. The highest month for number of claims and amount paid for those claims was March, at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown. Experts fear another disruption—this time cause by the easing of restrictions for activities outside the home—could lead to a spike in dog bite incidents.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week® is April 11-17, 2021. The National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition - State Farm, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (Triple I), American Humane, and dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell are urging people to take steps to prevent a surge in dog bites as the weather warms, lockdowns ease, and life returns to normal.

As pet owners return to the work place or school, pets will be left home alone. Behavioral issues such as separation anxiety could result in aggressive and destructive behavior. This could be a particular problem for dogs adopted during the pandemic. Many shelters and rescues experienced an increase in pet adoptions and fostering. People were home, feeling lonely, and had time for a new dog. Unfortunately, many of these adopted or fostered dogs have gotten the impression that normal life is quarantine life. Now is the time to get your dog ready for the transition to post-pandemic life.

DOGTV promotional offer

DOGTV is a streaming channel created for dogs to help relax and entertain them when home alone or in anxious situations. To enroll in a free 30-day trial, visit www.dogtv.com and use the code CALMDOG. View the video above to learn more.

Tips for successful dog interactions

Just like humans, dogs are individuals, and every dog has a unique personality. State Farm does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog someone owns. While a dogs’ breed may dictate how they look, how a dog reacts in a situation isn’t guaranteed by breed or type. It’s important to remember that even well-trained dogs can bite if they are put into the wrong situation.

• Make sure your pet is healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you don’t have a pet medical insurance policy in place to cover illness or injury, talk to your State Farm agent or go online to learn how a Trupanion policy can help with medical expenses.
• If your dog has only been interacting with your family this past year, don’t rush out into crowded areas or dog parks. Try to expose your dogs to new situations slowly and for short periods of time, arrange for low-stress interactions, and give plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior.
• Gradually start arranging play dates with other dogs and people as allowed, and carefully increase the amounts of time and freedom together. This will help your dog get used to being with other canine companions again.
• Be responsible about approaching other people’s pets. Ask permission from the owner before approaching a dog, and look for signs that the dog wants to interact with you.

Upcoming dog bite prevention webinars - Click images to view details:

Unlike your puppy, Tavi came with an instruction manual.

Tavi is a Canine Companions for Independence puppy, sponsored by State Farm^®. The Birds were selected by State Farm and Canine Companions to raise Tavi, which means good in Hebrew. A yellow Labrador retriever, Tavi was born in August and has been living with Tony and Robin, and their 12-year-old rescue Bella, for two months.

"With Tavi, the training is formalized," Tony said of the bounding bundle of exploration. "We have goals and a monthly progress report to turn in."

While he is a puppy, and anybody who has raised a puppy knows they get more distracted than a moth at a candle festival, he is in training to be a working dog. As puppy raisers, the Birds are not just giving their home and hearts to Tavi, they are giving their time and resources to support Canine Companions, which has a schedule of milestones for Tavi to reach on his way to becoming a service animal.

"We have a sense of obligation to make sure we follow the prescribed plans they have," Tony said.

Robin said the commands they can use are just one of the differences between raising Tavi and Bella. Instead of telling Tavi "no," for example, they need to use "don't." And Tavi is on a regimented daily schedule because of the high likelihood his future owner will be on one.

"Tavi's daily grooming is another difference," Robin said. "There is teeth brushing, coat brushing, weekly trimming of his nails, and my personal favorite – cradling, aka snuggle time."

"We have never brushed our dog's teeth," Tony said. "So it has created many of the funnier moments. As a squirmy puppy, he often gets toothpaste in his nose and even once on his eyebrows."

"With Bella," Robin said, "we can take her to the groomer for all of these things."

Because Tavi will receive specialized service-animal training in early 2022, he needs to learn the vocabulary the trainers use. The Birds call his name to get his attention, and then follow with the command they are trying to teach.

"So far he is doing very well with: sit, here, down and he knows his name," Robin said. "We are working on wait and don't."

The rest of the puppy-raising world surely can appreciate that.

"We have never done formal training, so all of this is new," Tony said. "We've often adopted dogs past the puppy stage. Bella was 18 months old when we adopted her."

They have learned the importance of treats to the training process, and that regular kibble can be that treat. They have also benefitted from the power of distraction.

"The training methods from Canine Companions are to focus on and reinforce the positive, so if we see him approaching a negative situation, like reaching for the top of a trash can, rather than correction, we use distraction with kibble or a toy," Tony said. "At this point, I have even seen the distractions work on Bella, who is almost 12."

Robin shared that Tavi is being crate trained, while Bella has free roam of their home, but they have seen that Tavi is learning to like his crate and has put himself in it on a few occasions.

It's not been all work and no play. He's a puppy, so there is plenty of play time. Tavi and Bella dressed as Batman and Robin for Halloween, the Birds socialize him whenever they can, and even arrange playdates with other puppy raiser families.

As a future service dog, it is important that he is comfortable in the car and in new places, so the Birds take him everywhere. He's been to the vet, their State Farm agent's office and to shop. He's also had regular visitors through a steady stream of friends to the house.

"It's been a highlight and surprise, just how quick he is. Still only three months old, he's energetic, and not proficient at any of these, but the fact that he has the basics for his name, sit, down and here, he's well ahead of what I expected," Tony said. "There is a lot of work to do to make sure what he's learned sticks and that he continues to advance, but so far, he's doing really well and it's been a lot of fun."

Unlike your puppy, Tavi came with an instruction manual.

Tavi is a Canine Companions for Independence puppy, sponsored by State Farm^®. The Birds were selected by State Farm and Canine Companions to raise Tavi, which means good in Hebrew. A yellow Labrador retriever, Tavi was born in August and has been living with Tony and Robin, and their 12-year-old rescue Bella, for two months.

"With Tavi, the training is formalized," Tony said of the bounding bundle of exploration. "We have goals and a monthly progress report to turn in."

While he is a puppy, and anybody who has raised a puppy knows they get more distracted than a moth at a candle festival, he is in training to be a working dog. As puppy raisers, the Birds are not just giving their home and hearts to Tavi, they are giving their time and resources to support Canine Companions, which has a schedule of milestones for Tavi to reach on his way to becoming a service animal.

"We have a sense of obligation to make sure we follow the prescribed plans they have," Tony said.

Robin said the commands they can use are just one of the differences between raising Tavi and Bella. Instead of telling Tavi "no," for example, they need to use "don't." And Tavi is on a regimented daily schedule because of the high likelihood his future owner will be on one.

"Tavi's daily grooming is another difference," Robin said. "There is teeth brushing, coat brushing, weekly trimming of his nails, and my personal favorite – cradling, aka snuggle time."

"We have never brushed our dog's teeth," Tony said. "So it has created many of the funnier moments. As a squirmy puppy, he often gets toothpaste in his nose and even once on his eyebrows."

"With Bella," Robin said, "we can take her to the groomer for all of these things."

Because Tavi will receive specialized service-animal training in early 2022, he needs to learn the vocabulary the trainers use. The Birds call his name to get his attention, and then follow with the command they are trying to teach.

"So far he is doing very well with: sit, here, down and he knows his name," Robin said. "We are working on wait and don't."

The rest of the puppy-raising world surely can appreciate that.

"We have never done formal training, so all of this is new," Tony said. "We've often adopted dogs past the puppy stage. Bella was 18 months old when we adopted her."

They have learned the importance of treats to the training process, and that regular kibble can be that treat. They have also benefitted from the power of distraction.

"The training methods from Canine Companions are to focus on and reinforce the positive, so if we see him approaching a negative situation, like reaching for the top of a trash can, rather than correction, we use distraction with kibble or a toy," Tony said. "At this point, I have even seen the distractions work on Bella, who is almost 12."

Robin shared that Tavi is being crate trained, while Bella has free roam of their home, but they have seen that Tavi is learning to like his crate and has put himself in it on a few occasions.

It's not been all work and no play. He's a puppy, so there is plenty of play time. Tavi and Bella dressed as Batman and Robin for Halloween, the Birds socialize him whenever they can, and even arrange playdates with other puppy raiser families.

As a future service dog, it is important that he is comfortable in the car and in new places, so the Birds take him everywhere. He's been to the vet, their State Farm agent's office and to shop. He's also had regular visitors through a steady stream of friends to the house.

"It's been a highlight and surprise, just how quick he is. Still only three months old, he's energetic, and not proficient at any of these, but the fact that he has the basics for his name, sit, down and here, he's well ahead of what I expected," Tony said. "There is a lot of work to do to make sure what he's learned sticks and that he continues to advance, but so far, he's doing really well and it's been a lot of fun."

Match your pet’s breed to your lifestyle.

You may walk through a shelter or rescue and see a dog with the most adorable face. But, is it the right one for your lifestyle? One of the most important factors of responsible pet adoption is picking the best pet that matches your lifestyle. Every dog breed is different and may have certain breed characteristics or personality traits. Do your research. Pick a pet breed that complements your daily schedule as well as your family needs. Consider how much time and energy you have to dedicate to a new family member. For example, do you work long hours, travel often, or live in a smaller space? Keep in mind that State Farm does not have a breed restriction policy. All dog breeds or types are welcome!

Research your animal welfare organization.

There are a variety of animal welfare organizations helping pets every day. Research which animal shelter or rescue group you would like to adopt from and make sure to ask questions. For example, most animal shelter organizations are run by volunteers. They have spent a lot of time getting to know each one of these animals. They may have information about behaviors and quirks that may not be listed on a piece of paper.

Budget for your pet.

The cost of bringing home a pet could be more than you think. In addition to food, toys, and training, your new pet will need a yearly veterinary exam, preventative care, and vaccinations. In addition to these expected costs, can you cover costs of an expected pet injury or illness?

Your pet’s medical care may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. At the end of the day, you want your new dog or cat to be happy and healthy. Consider your finances when adopting a new pet. Can you afford the potential cost for the unexpected? A great option to consider is getting pet medical insurance. State Farm provides medical insurance coverage for cats and dogs through Trupanion. This option makes illness or injury treatment decisions easier, allowing pets to get the care they need without worry of paying for treatment.

Responsible pet adoption is important for the wellness of your furry family member.

Whether you’re looking to bring home a new puppy, kitten, or an adult pet, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to responsible pet adoption. But by picking your breed, doing your research, and budgeting for your new pet, you’re on your way to being a responsible pet owner.

Thinking about adoption or fostering a pet?

Trupanion has created a free, recorded webinar to help you learn even more about how to prepare, including Q&A with Animal Behaviorists and leading Veterinarians. Watch the webinar here.

Here are their stories...

Aria the American Bull Dog

Wanting a family dog is a common request from kids and the Terraneau crew was no different. Josh Terraneau, Riverside, CA State Farm agent, and his wife decided it was finally time and brought the whole family to the shelter to find their new family member, an adorable puppy.

"The moment our family walked through the local shelter and met Aria...it was kismet," said Josh. "My youngest son was 18 months at the time and Aria began sniffing him. It was obvious there was a natural connection and curiosity to one another."

The family asked if Aria could be let outside to play to see if they were a good fit. Josh describes the moment of seeing Aria running around the yard as witnessing the dog "blossoming." At that moment, the Terraneau family knew they had found their puppy.

As the one year anniversary of Aria's adoption nears, Josh shares, "I cannot imagine my family without her. She's just such a big part of our family"

Santa Paws and Fido

A passionate owner of five dogs and an advocate for dogs and safety, Linda Newell, a San Diego, CA State Farm agent, works hard to educate her community. She teams up with local veterinary offices and school educators to teach children about dogs. She distributes an activity book, Fido! Friend or Foe to the children.

"I love meeting the members of my community – the dogs and their owners," said Linda."And it's so important to teach the kids about dogs and how to be safe."

Linda also teams up with Santa Paws during the holidays. Together they provide her new customers, who are dog owners, with doggie goodie bags, and the opportunity to get a holiday photo with their pets.

Hundreds of people take advantage of this unique opportunity including a local military wife whose husband was deploying in a few days. The special picture gave her family comfort while her husband was overseas serving our country during the holidays.

The Playful Golden Retriever

State Farm Agent Shea Ferraro describes his golden retriever, O'Malley, as a friendly dog who loves people and the pool. He attributes her friendliness to early socialization with other dogs and people. Since an early age, O'Malley would frequent dog parks, dog beaches, and dog-friendly restaurants. During the summer, you can find O'Malley swimming in their pool. O'Malley enjoys catching a ball in her mouth, and then placing her head on the ledge of the pool. She waits there until someone is ready to toss her the ball for hours of endless fun.

Kensie the Pit Bull

Kensie the pit bull was shaking in fear in the animal shelter. Fortunately, Rob Bills, a Mission Viejo, CA State Farm agent, was with his family looking to adopt a new dog. Rob already was the owner of two loyal pit bulls and he knew he could give Kensie the home she deserved.

"She appeared physically and emotionally wounded," shared Rob. "She only weighed 30 pounds; very underweight for her age and size."

After years of caring for his new family member, Kensie weighs 50 pounds and trusts humans again. Rob says caring for three dogs is a great deal of work, but it's also "wonderful and very rewarding."

While walking your dog with a retractable leash, Rob Bills suggests owners be mindful of releasing the leash too suddenly.

He has observed face-to-face dog confrontations that could pose safety concerns for dogs who are still in training or are not yet socialized. Instead, Rob suggests dog owners talk first to determine whether the dogs can meet and play.

Owner of two dogs, State Farm Agent Andy Popka stresses the importance of getting to know your pet. In particular, by learning his dog Rowdy's body language, he knew which situations Rowdy perceived as threatening. For example, Rowdy used to run to a specific dog bed at their home any time he saw a person wearing a hat and sunglasses. Learning these signs from Rowdy, and their other dog, enabled Andy to tailor their training.

Insuring the underdog and more

"All dogs can be 'great dogs,' regardless of breed, if they are properly cared for, loved and trained," stated Agent Rob Bills.

State Farm determines risk based on a dog's bite history rather than breed. Thus, State Farm does not exclude insuring households solely based on breed.

Interested in reading more about dogs and State Farm, click here to enjoy a Huffington Post blog, Insuring the Underdog.

Arson K9 Kaimi is one of those dogs. K9 Kaimi is the first and oldest serving arson dog in Hawaii. Abandoned at a California shelter when he was seven months old, things didn’t look good for the young yellow Lab. Most pet adopters are looking for a calm pet or lap dog, not a dog with an energy level that doesn’t stop. Thankfully a shelter worker took notice of his enthusiasm and work drive. They contacted a local fire investigator, who reached out to trainers with the State Farm® Arson Dog Program.

In April 2008, K9 Kaimi met and trained with his new human partner, Assistant Fire Chief Robert (Bobby) Perreira. After five weeks of training, they became a certified team for the county and state. Since then, K9 Kaimi has worked hundreds of fires across the Hawaiian Islands, finding evidence that helps local police and fire departments during arson investigations.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert Perreira and K9 Kaimi will be at the Petco store in Hilo, Hawaii, on Oct. 12 for the Petco Foundation Meet a Helping Hero campaign. It will be one of his last public events. K9 Kaimi will retire from service in December 2019 after serving the residents of Hawaii for 11 ½ years. Nearly 13 years old, K9 Kaimi may be a little slower, but his nose is still sharp.

State Farm will have 47 arson dogs and handlers at Petco stores as part of the Meet a Helping Hero campaign. The campaign highlights how working animals transform lives by providing comfort, support, and assistance. The campaign also raises money to support animal shelters, rescues, and working dog organizations.

The Petco Foundation has provided over $60,000 in grants to police and fire department with certified arson dog teams. These grants help with expenses related to care, maintenance, and annual recertification of dogs like K9 Kaimi.

Therapy, service, and working animals will be at Petco stores on Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. local time. Visit the Petco Foundation Meet a Helping Hero website to find participating stores.

While dogs may be man’s best friend, there are steps you can take to help your dog be a better neighbor.

Being a Good Pet Neighbor is a free online course. It is a collaborative effort between world-renowned animal behavior expert Victoria Stilwell and State Farm.

State Farm believes responsible pet ownership is key to reducing dog-related injuries. This new course is the company's latest effort to educate people about dog body language and safely interacting with dogs.

The three-lesson, 35-minute course is designed for both new and experienced dog owners. It is available online through the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior. Lessons teach and reinforce what it means to be a good pet neighbor in the home, yard, and community.

“I founded the Victoria Stilwell Academy to teach both dog owners and aspiring dog trainers how to provide their dogs with very best," said Stilwell from her Atlanta headquarters. "Partnering with State Farm to deliver a course specifically aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership through training, awareness and education was obvious win-win."

What's Included in the Free Online Course?

You will learn immediate and long-term solutions in the course. This include how to:

• Manage barking

• Secure pets in the yard properly

• Play safely and enrich your dog's life

• Introduce your dog to other people and animals

• Understand your insurance policy coverage

As a bonus, you can access a second, online course called Building Your Dog's Confidence. This course helps you understand how confidence shapes a dog's behavior and ways to build your dog's confidence.

It’s Not the Breed

Dog ownership does not come without risks. State Farm is one of the few insurance companies that does not have a breed restriction list. It does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned.

In 2018, State Farm paid $123 million dollars for 3,280 dog bite and injury claims. Many dog-related injuries occur in the home and involve family members. Most dogs will never bite but it is important to remember that any dog can.

Just like humans, dogs are individuals. Every dog has a unique personality. While a dog's breed may dictate what the dog looks like, how it reacts to people or situations isn’t guaranteed by breed or type. Many factors may result in a dog biting or injuring a person. These include heredity, health, pain, training, fear and aggression.

Most bites are a perfect storm of situation and circumstance. Often a dog's physical and vocal language is misunderstood or missed. Avoid putting your dog into situations that could result in a fearful, anxious, or aggressive response.

State Farm is a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® (April 7-13, 2019) Coalition. The insurer joins the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), and American Humane to draw attention to dog bites and ways to reduce injuries to people and pets. State Farm is also one of the few insurance companies in the country that does not have a breed restriction list and does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. Under the right circumstances any dog might bite.

Information from the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition

• American Veterinary Medical Association estimates there are approximately 78 million dogs in U.S. homes and each year 4.5 million people are bitten or injured by dogs. “Even the gentlest dog can bite if they are in pain, feel threatened, or are competing for resources such as food or space,” said Dr. John de Jong, AVMA President. “Not only is it important to understand how dogs behave, it is important to understand how a dog may interpret our behavior.” AVMA’s ‘Jimmy the Dog’ video series lets preschoolers look at how a dog might interpret different scenarios.
• Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reports that dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for nearly one third of all homeowners liability claim dollars paid out in 2018, costing $675 million. An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide decreased to 17,297 in 2018, compared to 18,522 in 2017– a 6.6 percent decrease. The average cost per claim increased by 5.3 percent. The average cost paid out for dog bite claims was $39,017. in 2018, compared with $37,051 in 2017.
• American Humane says that dog bites are a double tragedy affecting both people and animals. “A dog bite can have a devastating effect not only on the victim, but on the dog, who may be euthanized,” says Robin Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane. Because of the high risk involving dogs, babies, and children, American Humane offers a free online booklet called Pet Meets Baby that provides families with valuable information on introducing a new child to a home with a dog.

Professional perspective from Dr. Marty Becker and Victoria Stilwell

State Farm believes that educating dog owners about being responsible will help reduce dog-related injuries. The insurance company focuses on educating people and pet professionals about dog body language and safely interacting with dogs by working with two of the most prominent experts in the field of dog training and veterinary medicine; celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker.

“Dogs don’t just bite ‘out of the blue’. Most bites are a perfect storm of situation and circumstance, but because dogs’ physical and vocal language is frequently misinterpreted or signals are missed, people often put themselves or others at risk and dogs are blamed as a result,” says Stilwell. “Education is the only way to reduce dog bite incidents in this country, which is why I am proud to stand alongside State Farm and other members of the coalition, to raise awareness about this issue and to educate people about dog bite prevention.”

“As a society we increasingly consider dogs to be family members and rely on them for unconditional love,” says Dr. Becker. “A clearer understanding of canine behavior and how our own actions can make us safer is essential if we want to continue to benefit from the presence of dogs in our daily lives.”

Tips on being a responsible dog owner

• NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is a family pet. Children are often bitten by dogs in their own household.
• Make sure your pet is socialized so it feels at ease around people and other animals.
• Walk and exercise your dog on a leash to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.
• Regular veterinary visits are essential to regulating the health of your dog. A sick or injured dog is more likely to bite.
• Be alert. If someone approaches you and your dog, caution them to wait before petting the dog. Give your pet time to be comfortable with the stranger.
• Understand and respond to changes in your dogs’ body language. Look at the eyes, ears, tail, and posture to know when your dog may be happy, fearful, or angry.

Cato, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, joined the department in May 2017 after graduating from the State Farm Arson Dog program. The $50,000 cost for the program was sponsored by State Farm^®.

A year after her arrival, Cato’s partner and handler, Darlington County Fire Chief Ricky Flowers, says he can’t imagine life without her.

“There was a media blitz when she arrived, and arson fires have dropped 85 percent since she came on board. Cato did what we wanted her to do – cut down on the number of suspicious fires.”

But her role has expanded to be much more than an arson dog. Ricky says he is beyond amazed at Cato’s expanding role in the fire department’s public relations efforts.

When not investigating suspected arson scenes, the cuddly canine is seen around town promoting fire safety, social interaction and literacy to local students.

Cato’s recent visit to a local elementary school resulted in a request from the school for more State Farm-branded dog bone flashlights for a Cato-inspired pajama party and reading event for its students.

“We went to the school to demonstrate fire prevention, and the kids fell in love with her,” Ricky says.

In turn, Ricky was inspired by the request to expand the elementary school's literacy efforts.

“This year we’re trying a program where local elementary school students in every grade who read the most books get to spend the day at the firehouse with us,” he says. “We’d like to do it before winter break and again after winter break to give the kids something to look forward to and inspire them to read.”

Ricky says the pair have become local celebrities of sorts to students.

“State Farm gave us trading cards with our picture on them that we hand out to the kids,” Ricky says. “They’ve been a big hit. Kids come up to me in the grocery store to say hello.”

Kim Conyers, Public Affairs specialist, says the fire chief has developed a clever extension of the Arson dog partnership.

“Using Cato and the elementary schools in the area to morph safety education into promoting literacy is a great concept,” Kim says.

In addition to literacy, Cato helps college students learn more about sociology.

Ricky’s wife, Shannon, teaches sociology and criminology at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. Cato visits her class to demonstrate her arson technique.

“I explain that Cato is totally unbiased. She doesn’t see suspects. She’s just looking for clues,” her handler says. “The students love the demonstration, and they also love to pet her. They ask if I can bring her back before exams to help them relax.”

Like the students, Cato relaxes in her down time. At home and at schools, she is a playful puppy.

Until it’s time to go to work. Like many working dogs, Cato’s personality changes depending on the situation.

“Her chests puffs out, and her mood changes. She goes from playful to working girl as soon as she sees me pick up the leash,” says Ricky. “When the leash goes on, her nose goes to the ground and she doesn’t care what else is going on around her. She’d ignore a T-bone steak. It’s like she’s got a split personality.”

Cato couldn’t make it as a disability support dog at Paws for a Cause because of her energy and curiosity.

“She is our first arson dog. Our original plan was to slow arsons down in the county because we were having a problem,” he says. “When I approached our administration to ask about getting a dog, I said I didn’t know what else the dog would be able to do. Now we see that she does so much more. She is the most valuable tool we have in the department right now.”

Until fate intervened.

The beagle’s name was Jake. And it just so happens that the media and PR coordinator for Kentucky’s largest humane society is a huge fan of the Jake from State Farm^® commercials.

When an employee at the Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville sent her Jake’s photo, Megan Decker knew just what to do.

“All he needed was a little extra attention to be noticed. I immediately thought of Jake at State Farm,” Megan says. “So I posted his photo on Twitter and tagged State Farm.”

Her tweet − "Learn more about Jake" − got results.

Jordan Knoup, a Public Affairs specialist, was monitoring the company’s social media posts when she saw Megan’s Tweet about their Jake on the official Jake at State Farm Twitter page.

A rescue dog fan herself, Jordan asked her Public Affairs contacts to see if there was a way to help.

“I thought we may be able to sponsor his adoption fee as a goodwill gesture.”

Public Affairs Specialists Judy McConkey and Heather Paul worked with Jordan to expedite the donation to the humane society. When the request was approved, the humane society was notified that State Farm would indeed sponsor Jake, covering his adoption fee and a few extra blankets and toys for his new family.

Judy wrote on the Humane Society’s Twitter page in response: "Jake from @StateFarm is #heretohelp! We will cover your adoption fees and help you find a forever home. You really are handsome with your red collar and brown markings. It almost looks like you are wearing khakis!"

Jake, now adopted, is settling in to his new home thanks to the efforts of a few animal lovers and a popular commercial.

Megan says corporate sponsorships like this one help them pull dogs from rural shelters that have little or no adoption programs.

“We have a great team in place that works with dogs like Jake from these shelters to get them ready for adoption as soon as possible,” Megan says. “We do lots of grant writing and outreach to save as many animals as we can. I’m so happy this worked out for Jake and his new family.”

State Farm, Victoria Stilwell and members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition have joined forces during National Dog Bite Prevention Week to educate adults and children about ways to reduce dog-related injuries. Members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition include State Farm, Victoria Stilwell, Insurance Information Institute, United States Postal Service, American Humane, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“Educating the general public about dog bite prevention is more vital than ever,” says Stilwell. “As a dog behavior expert, I support the need to raise awareness and stop these incidents from occurring.” Stilwell urges people to join the discussion and share tips on being safe and responsible around dogs by using the hashtag #preventdogbites.

State Farm is one of the few insurance companies that does not have a breed restriction list and does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned.

Instead, the insurance company works with world renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell to focus on educating people about responsible pet ownership and understanding dog body language. Being bitten or attacked by a dog can leave physical and emotional scars. For the dog, it can be a death sentence. Children make up more than 50% of all dog bite victims. The elderly and home service people like mail carriers are also high on the list of frequent dog bite victims.

While an overwhelming majority of interactions with dogs don’t result in injury, most dog bites could be prevented by practicing responsible pet ownership and educating people, especially children, about how to safely interact with dogs. Stilwell recommends the following tips to keep people safe from dog bites.

1. Learn canine body language. Too often people misunderstand or miss signals that a dog is uncomfortable. For example, a dog that yawns might not necessarily be tired. Yawning can also be a sign of stress.
2. Give dogs space. Dogs can feel threatened when strange people touch them, so take pressure off by giving them the choice to come into your space first to say hello.
3. Be humane. Dogs that are raised and trained humanely are more confident and less likely to bite than dogs that are trained using punitive methods or equipment designed to intimidate and cause pain.

Homeowners should talk to their insurance agent about coverage under a standard homeowner policy. Pet owners should consider a personal liability umbrella policy (PLUP) to provide extra coverage in case their dog does bite someone. Renters should consider getting renters insurance because most landlords do not provide coverage should there be a dog bite incident.

How You Can Help Prevent Injuries

Understanding a dog's body language and how to be a responsible pet owner can help reduce the number of dog bite related injuries. 

Dogs are very expressive animals. They communicate when they’re feeling happy, sad, nervous, fearful and angry through body language. “Whale eye” describes a dog who is showing the whites of their eyes and often indicates stress or anxiety. Whale eye can be a sign that the dog will soon become aggressive because a dog who is anxious is more likely to bite.

A chained dog can become a dangerous dog. Dogs that are kept on a chain or tether outside for long periods of time can become unhappy, frustrated and aggressive. Many cities and states now have tethering laws that state how long a dog can be kept on a chain or tethered outdoors. A responsible dog owner will take their dog outdoors regularly for exercise and fresh air but doesn’t leave a dog on a chain without social interaction. 

Dog Bite Prevention Quiz

Hover over the image below to learn more safety tips.

Postal Carrier Protection

There were 6,244 postal carriers bitten in 2017. If a letter carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. This practice is helpful to consider for food and other package deliveries as well.

Top 15 cities for dog attacks to U.S. postal carrier in 2017

1. Houston, TX 71 attacks

2. Los Angeles, CA 67 attacks

3. St. Louis, MO 52 attacks

4. Cleveland, OH 49 attacks

5. San Diego, CA 46 attacks

6. Baltimore, MD 44 attacks

7. San Antonio, TX 44 attacks

8. Columbus, OH 43 attacks

9. Dallas, TX 40 attacks

10. Louisville, KY 39 attacks

11. Chicago, IL 38 attacks

12. Denver, CO 35 attacks

13. Long Beach, CA 32 attacks

14. Detroit, MI 32 attacks

15. Kansas City, MO 32 attacks

The American Humane Association recognizes the importance of animals and and created the Hero Dog Awards to celebrate canine heroes in various categories:

• Law Enforcement
• Arson
• Service
• Therapy
• Military
• Search and Rescue
• Guide and Hearing
• Emerging Hero dogs

The event also promotes rescue dogs and the power of adoption. Several of the past hero dog winners have come from animal shelters or puppy mills yet their suffering has resulted in remarkable stories of perseverance and heroism.

The Arson Dog category, sponsored by State Farm, supports these celebrity animals. It also shares how arson dogs impact our customers and business.

Road to the Red Carpet

Rescued from an Illinois animal shelter in 2010, K9 Kai exhibited a strong drive to locate and recover tennis balls. That work ethic was a perfect fit for the State Farm Arson Dog Program. In 2014, K9 Kai and handler Justin Davis with the San Antonio Fire Department in Texas won the Hero Dog Award in the Arson Dog category due to Kai's nose and strong work drive. Video Tribute: 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ Arson Dog Category - Kai

Glory, an arson dog with the Beloit Fire Department in Wisconsin, originally trained as a disability assistance canine but her high energy wasn't a fit for that program. All she needed was a career change to leverage her skill set.

Together with her handler Lt. Keith Lynn, K9 Glory uses her sense of smell to locate accelerants such as gasoline or diesel fuel that may have been used to start an arson fire. The assistance she provides to investigators increases the likelihood that if a fire was started intentionally, evidence will be located quickly and the arsonist will be charged with a crime.

Glory and her handler also visit schools and organizations to discuss fire safety, fire prevention and arson awareness. This education helps combat the growing problem of intentionally set fires. The team also emphasizes the importance of creating and practicing a fire escape plan.

Glory received the 2015 Hero Dog Award in the Arson Dog category because of her fantastic crime-fighting skills. This award brings awareness to a larger audience and gave Glory and Keith the opportunity to direct a grant to Project Paws Alive, a nonprofit organization that provides safety equipment to protect hero dogs like Glory.

More Tails Wagging 

Expect more great stories of triumph when the Hero Dog Awards airs on the Hallmark Channel on October 30th at 8 pm ET/PT and 7 pm CT. Don't forget your tissues! These dogs will tug at your heart strings and appreciate even more the incredible bond between human and animals.

To read more about State Farm and our support of all dogs please read,

• All Dog Breeds Deserve a Chance
• Insuring the Underdog
• Fire Dogs: Man's Best Friend, Arsonists Worst Nightmare