About the Invention

For the past ten years, Fran Bouchard has been Breeding German Shepherds. Fran has learned a lot about the beautiful animals. More specifically, she has learned about the mess female German Shepherds can make while in heat. Dogs go into heat when they are ready to mate. Fran's desire to keep her female German Shepherds inside the house while they were in heat, and not have the mess inspired her innovation.

The first German Shepherd Fran bred was a female. When the dog went into heat, she had to wear a sanitary belt to prevent floor and furniture stains. The dog hated her uncomfortable belt. It was always too loose, and interfered with the dog cleaning herself. This sanitary belt for dogs and others on the market weren't contoured to the bodies of female German shepherds: they resembled dog diapers, or they were difficult to strap on, and to remove. Sometimes they were held in place with clips, which made strapping them on time consuming, and the napkins that absorbed the mess were expensive.

Inspired by a need to increase canine comfort, and save time and money, Fran designed a contoured, easily removable, inexpensive alternative. Fran designed the pattern for the SaniT belt in 1994. She created the initial prototype, and worked with sewer Maude Coallier to perfect the design.

The outside portion of the belt is made of waterproof material, and the inside has a pocket in which paper towels are inserted in order to absorb the mess. Normal household paper towels replace costly napkins. Velcro straps allows the belt to be easily strapped on and removed: one simply pulls the strap and the belt falls off. It is economical, and washable.

The belt fits small, medium, and large sized dogs. It also fits different breeds. It saves time because it takes so little time to put on, and the Breeder doesn't have to see very much of the mess. It doesn't interfere with the dog cleaning herself because it is slim-lined to the shape of her body, which is also good for the dog's self-esteem. Fran saw results immediately: the belt fit better, saved time, saved money, and the dog looked happier. In 1997, she further streamlined the design.

The belt is currently in use by Bluemist German Shepherd Kennels. Maude Coallier manufactures the belts. Marc Coallier distributes the belt through dog shows. Fran also sells the Sani T Sanitary Belt through the company she started in 1985, called Blue Mist Herb Connection. Fran hopes to mass-produce the belts. The patent on the design is pending.

About the Inventor

Mother of one son, and an avid dog lover/breeder, Fran Bouchard has spent the past 29 years working for the Federal Government. For the last 14 years she has worked at the Museum of Science and Technology, Ottawa.

In 1992, she moved to Chesterville, Ontario with her partner Barry Newman. Together, they bought their first dog; a female named Tam Misty Blue. She registered her Kennel name in 1993, as Bluemist Kennels. Misty was the foundation of Bluemist, and is now retired, although they do hope to breed her one last time.

Fran became interested in Herbal Products, after she met a Traditional European Herbalist, Ludwick Monker. She then began making his products. She registered her business under Bluemist/Herb Connexion in 1996. Many new products were developed: one a herbal supplement; another a product specifically prepared for her German Shepherds. Her product specifically formulated for German Shepherds is now marketed by Herb Connexion, and distributed in Ontario by ATTEBA. When Fran retires, she'd like to work fulltime with her Kennel and Herbal Business.

Her life has changed a great deal since she became involved with Breeding, and Herbals. She spends a great deal of her spare time training, researching diseases, and answering telephone inquiries on dogs, herbs, products, and helping educate fellow dog owners. She is always thinking of new ideas to make life easier for her dogs, and herself. "After all, this is what it's all about."