“Sonya” a therapy dog for Canines for Combat Wounded
Photo credit: John Gurzinski
Throughout the years, many people in Nevada have relied on dogs to assist in everyday life and to provide companionship. Today, while dogs continue to serve in many of their more traditional functions, dogs have also taken on new and unique tasks that enhance the lives of their owners and the community. Therapy, medical assistance, and search and rescue are only a few of the many services dogs provide to the people of Nevada.
There are an estimated 283,940 households in Nevada that own a dog(s) — with a total population of 459,000 dogs.* The percentage of Nevada households with dogs, and the average number of dogs in each household is consistent with the national averages reported by the American Pet Products Association.
However, Nevada enjoys a lower rate of incidence of dog bites (111 bites per 100,000 persons) than the national average (129 bites per 100,000).
In 1998, Nevada began offering a dog bite safety course in every first grade classroom. Five years later, the Nevada Department of Agriculture produced a video entitled BowWowOw! , which was to be shown as part of the course.
Nevada realizes the value of dogs and understands that dog bites are a preventable injury, and that education can further reduce the already low incidence of dog bite injuries.
*Estimate from 2001 survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
National Canine Research Council