"The second worst thing that can happen to a pet is for it to get sick or injured; the worst thing is when that pet's caregiver has no clue what to do."
American Red Cross volunteer Sara Beavin and her husband rescue animals with special needs, so she first became interested in Pet First Aid to help take care of her own pets. When she discovered that the Louisville Area Chapter didn't offer the course, she took it upon herself to become an instructor and develop the program. In 2005, Sara obtained instructor certification and has been running the local program ever since. In addition to being an instructor, she has also invested in training materials including canine and cat mannequins for students to practice CPR and rescue breathing.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to take the class with Sara and learned quite a few things that will come in handy as a pet parent. For instance, in case of a head, neck or back injury, a cookie sheet can serve as a backboard to transport your cat or small dog. And plastic wrap is a great way to keep them in place without damaging their fur—something your pet will definitely appreciate.
In this video, Sara discusses why it's important for pet parents to learn how to care for their pets in case of an emergency, and also offers a few tips to prepare just in case Milo or Otis get into trouble.
The Louisville Area Chapter 2011 Pet First Aid Schedule
Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dec. 28 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call 1-877-519-5967 to register for a Pet First Aid class. Also, prepare yourself and your pets before disaster strikes using this Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
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