Health and Safety - Coronavirus Update
Viruses are nothing new to dog trainers, we’ve worked for two decades to ensure that dogs attending classes are not exposed to Parvovirus, Canine Influenza, Hepatitis and Distemper. We pride ourselves on the fact that we’ve never had a single dog contract any of the major viruses listed above at our venue.
As dog trainers, we are acutely aware of the risks of disease transmission in puppies and dogs. The ongoing health of our clients and their dogs has always been of paramount importance to us. We have always practised exemplary hygiene standards to ensure the safety of the people and dogs attending our classes.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is also nothing new to us. We have always encouraged and practised social distancing by requiring humans to not allow their dogs to meet on leash. A leash length is generally 1.5m-2m, necessitating humans to be a minimum of 3m apart.
During the acute phase of Coronavirus, while governments are working feverishly to flatten the curve, our instructors will maintain appropriate social distancing to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of our clients. It is not necessary for our instructors to handle you, your dog or any of your equipment to adequately coach you to train your dog. In rare circumstances, our instructors may need to handle your dog briefly however, this would only be necessary if they pose a safety risk to themselves or others.
We ask you to assist us with social distancing, while the government and medical experts work to flatten the curve, by limiting the people attending with each dog to one or two people at the most.
Effective immediately, we would ask that when attending class to please limit the number of participants to two (2) people only. As a general rule, we do not limit the number of people who attend classes with their dog however we are currently living in unusual times. To ensure that we can provide social distancing to a level that is comfortable to all participants, we ask that you please consider this restriction when attending class.
How do we clean?
We use the following products for cleaning
- F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant
- Viraclean® Hospital Grade Disinfectant
- Bleach
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Antibacterial Detergent
- Antibacterial Multipurpose Sprays
- Dishwasher
- Laundering with Laundry Sanitiser
Equipment used in classes
All hard equipment used in classes (bins, water buckets, toys, treat puzzles, cones, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned after each use with disinfectant detergent and bleach. Often this equipment is taken home and disinfected in the dishwasher.
All soft equipment used in classes (mats, sheets, cushions, etc.) is laundered after each use in a hot wash with detergent and laundry sanitiser.
Equipment that cannot be washed is sprayed with F10SC (see below) after each use.
Staff Hygiene
Given the risks of disease transmission that dog trainers have always been exposed to we employ the following methods to ensure the safety of dogs and people coming into contact with us;
- Our staff practice excellent personal hygiene
- We wash our hands before and after each class
- We use hand sanitiser when unable to wash our hands
- We clean our hands prior to cleaning equipment and surfaces
- Our uniforms are laundered daily
- Our shoes are sprayed with disinfectant
- We practise good hand hygiene
- We practise good respiratory hygiene
- When not at our training venue our instructors work from home, further lowering our exposure to the virus
- Our staff have not travelled overseas recently
How we clean our venue
As previously mentioned, we have always embraced a high level of hygiene and sanitisation at our training venue. However, we have added additional sanitary measures for our client’s peace of mind. We have added the use of Viraclean® to our cleaning schedule. This hard-hitting, hospital-grade disinfectant is currently used by hospitals and many other businesses, including QANTAS for aircraft cleaning, in response to the outbreak of Coronavirus. All surfaces likely to have been touched by humans are cleaned with antibacterial detergent and bleach before being sprayed with both F10SC and Viraclean®.
What is F10SC?
F10SC is a total spectrum disinfectant that, unlike other strong disinfectants on the market, has no adverse side effects on people, animals, or on equipment and surfaces. It is ecologically friendly and biodegradable and carries a wide range and registrations and approvals from around the world. In Australia, F10SC is registered by the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority) for use in animal production and housing facilities and is approved by DAFF for use in food export processing as a non-rinse disinfectant. It is also listed as a hospital-grade disinfectant on the TGA’s ARTG (Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods).
F10SC disinfectant offers these significant benefits…
- Kills all types of pathogen - F10SC is bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal and sporicidal.
- Minimal chance of microbial resistance due to F10CS’s unique benzalkonium chloride and polyhexamethylene biguanide combination of activities and mode of action.
- Rapid kill times - less than 30 seconds for gram positive bacteria. Canine Parvovirus 15 mins (new testing November 2012)
- Successfully tested against various influenza viruses at a concentration of 1:500 in 10mins.
- Non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-tainting, non-irritating, aldehyde-free.
- Biodegradable & ecologically friendly
- Diluted solution remains active for long periods of time.
- Tried, tested, independently verified and documented and approved around the world.
What is Viraclean®
Viraclean® passes TGA Option B and kills a broad range of other bacteria including Enterococcus Faecalis (VRE), Acetobacter and Acinetobacter and is also proven effective against Hepatitis B Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus and the Influenza Virus.
Viraclean® is a major development in advanced cleaning and disinfecting technology from Whiteley Medical. It is the result of years of intensive research and development. A considerable investment in both time and money has been made in the interests of improving the safety and efficacy of hospital grade disinfectants.
The revolutionary hepadnacidal test method was developed at the University of Sydney sponsored with funding from Whiteley Medical and represents another world breakthrough in Australia. This glutaraldehyde-free product, Viraclean®, which was developed during this program, has been patented.
MICROBIOLOGICALLY TESTED
Viraclean® has been proven to kill:
- Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA or Golden Staph)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- E coli
- Enterococcus Faecalis (VRE)
- Acinetobacter
- AcetobacteR
- Salmonella choleraesuis
- Proteus vulgaris
- Influenza virus
- Herpes Simplex virus
- Hepatitis B Group virus
- Candida Albicans
We have always provided hand towel and disinfectant (F10SC) for our clients to clean up after their dogs. We have always provided wipes for our clients to clean their hands. We are now providing hand wash and paper towel to all classes to enable people to practise good hand hygiene on site.
We now also provide disposable gloves for additional security and peace of mind for our clients. We are also providing tissues to help our clients to practice good respiratory hygiene.
What happens if schools close?
Am I at risk because the school is full of children?
Our venue poses a decreased risk than almost every other public place given that;
- Our training ground is an outdoor venue
- As an outdoor venue, there are no doors to enter so our clients are not required to touch a single surface, other than standing on the floor, if they deem it necessary, even after learning of our current sanitisation schedule.
- We thoroughly clean and sanitise the venue prior to clients arriving
- We have always practiced social distancing
- We are taking extra precautions to ensure the continuing health of our staff and clients
- We have the ability to conduct classes in more open spaces if necessary
- If you are uncomfortable opening one of our bins, even though they are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised daily and wiped with disinfectant wipes regularly, please ask a staff member who will dispose of your waste for you.
What will happen if we need to close temporarily?
We are aware that the critical period for socialising puppies is a relatively small window. We may be able to run classes or play groups from our home in Coorparoo to ensure these puppies get the crucial socialisation that they need.
We will be available for private consultations, whether in person or via Skype (or similar technology).
We have the ability to conduct classes via Skype (or similar technology) if necessary.
We are a creative, helpful bunch at Urban Dog Training so we will be able to find a solution to assist you
How can we help prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others is the best defence against most viruses.
You should:
- Not attend classes if you become symptomatic or have come into contact with anyone who has tested positive for Coronavirus.
- Help us to ensure social distancing by reducing the number of people present with each dog. If possible, restrict your attendance to one or two people per dog at the most.
- Avoid physical contact with other humans and their dogs.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, after handling your dog, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
- Moisturise your hands after washing.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes, dispose of tissues, and wash your hands.
- If unwell, do not attend class and contact us.
- Exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures.
What can I do if I get Coronavirus?
If you become symptomatic, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus, please stay home and follow the advice by government and medical experts. Contact us via telephone or email when you can.
Given the special circumstances we are experiencing at the moment, we will endeavour to provide you with a catch up class with the ability to bring your dog along with you, however we cannot guarantee this.
Can I get Coronavirus from my dog?
There is no evidence that Coronavirus can be transmitted to humans via dogs. There is not a single known case where a dog has transmitted the disease to humans. Additionally, there is no evidence that the disease can be transferred to dogs via humans. No one knows, at this point, whether or not dogs can become infected.
There is one case in Hong Kong where a dog tested weakly positive for Coronavirus after the owner had contracted it. The dog, a Pomeranian, showed no absolutely symptoms of the disease. No one knows if the weakly positive test indicated environmental contamination or transmission to the dog via the human. Obviously, if infected you should limit your contact with your animals. Wash your hands after interacting with them and do not permit them to lick your face. If infected, practise good hygiene to ensure that you do not pass the disease to other humans who also have physical contact with the dog.