By American Red Cross, Bluegrass Area Chapter
Pet First Aid courses are offered by the American Red Cross and can help prepare pet owners for emergencies. Participants can learn either cat, dog, or cat and dog first aid.
Does your dog howl when ambulances or fire trucks drive by? Sirens hurt their ears and they yelp to let us know that they are in pain. But what about the times when their howling can’t be attributed to raging ambulances? Emergencies happen to pets unexpectedly. The American Red Cross wants to be there to help both owner and pet prepare and manage those inevitable and often uncontrollable situations.
The Red Cross is more commonly known for our human life saving efforts such as CPR, lifeguarding, and disaster services, among many others. Many people are unaware that there is a course offered by the Red Cross to teach skills that could save your pet’s life.
Pet First Aid is a four-hour program presented by trained pet instructors to prepare you and your four-legged family members for an emergency. Course participants can choose to focus on either cat or dog first aid and will receive a copy of the respective book. Or, participants can study both.
The course is based on two books – Cat First Aid and Dog First Aid. Both were developed by the American Red Cross and approved by a veterinarian. Topics include how to recognize and respond to a pet emergency, pet CPR, and giving medications in addition to teaching skills such as dressing wounds, making splints, and de-stinking a skunked dog. Each book contains over 100 pages of step-by-step instruction, dozens of color pictures, and an instructional DVD for the harder-to-follow procedures.
Classes are formed after groups of six or more people are established and can be taught almost anywhere, either at the American Red Cross facility in Lexington or onsite, space permitting. The next scheduled class is Saturday, June 6, 2009, at 1450 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511.
Do your furry friend a favor and take his howls to heart. Learn life saving skills today.
For more information or to sign up for a course please call Betty Jo Jackson at 859-253-1331.
