CPR: Do you know what to do if your pet needs help?
By Gina Spadafori
May 27, 2007
For some time now, local branches of the American Red Cross have been offering classes on CPR for pets as well as people. The Boston Globe covers one in their area:
According to spokeswoman Amelia Aubourg, the Red Cross began offering pet first aid courses at a Los Angeles chapter. Now the certification is offered at 239 chapters in 45 states and has been offered in Massachusetts since 2000, she said.
The two friends signed up for the most recent class, held May 19 at the Red Cross chapter headquarters in Cambridge. The course costs $60, lasts about four hours, and is not unlike first aid classes for infants or adults, with, of course, a few obvious exceptions.
The CPR training mannequins, for example, are not in the form of humans but, instead, stuffed dogs and cats. Students are repeatedly reminded not to call 911 for a pet emergency because, under most circumstances, paramedics do not respond to choking dogs or unconscious cats.
“The purpose of this course is to provide temporary and immediate care until you can get to advanced veterinary care,” said Alice Wadley, 42, a Red Cross-certified pet first aid instructor.
Put it on your “to-do” list. Because you never know when you’ll need these critical skills.
Interesting! I just got in a NetFlix DVD: “Pet Emergency First Aid: Dogs”. I haven’t watched it yet.
Comment by Kat — May 27, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Just contacted the Red Cross in my area for infor on the classes for pet first aid. Here’s the website to check which locations offer the classes:
http://www.redcross.org/servic.....apter.html
Comment by Lynn — May 27, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
It’s great that more and more people are getting trained in first aid & CPR for pets. I’ve had to use my pet first aid skills myself in the past and I can’t stress how important it is to know. Next weekend I’m going through some training to be a first aid instructor, and I can’t wait!
Comment by Therese — May 27, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
I had to do CPR on my parents’ bulldog one Christmas Day. I hope I never have to do that again. We were unable to revive him. He died of a heart attack while on a walk. That turned out to be a horrible Christmas.
Comment by Tammy — May 27, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
I think it’s great the Red Cross offers the class; I just wish they had it in more locations. I live in a major US city and was simply informed they didn’t have the class or know anyone nearby who did.
Comment by Donna — May 27, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
Therese,
Are you taking the Red Cross class?
Comment by Donna — May 27, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
Donna,
No, I’m taking it through Pet Tech. I’ve heard it’s a pretty intense training for instructors so wish me luck! :)
Therese
Comment by Therese — May 27, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
I’ve heard about that program. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Comment by Donna — May 27, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
THANK YOU ALL for putting this in here. I’ve just e-mailed my local red cross to contact me about the classes. My to-do’s sometimes don’t get done for a long time. This way, they’ll call or write me. I used the map that Lynn posted above. (Thanks!) Otherwise, it would’ve gone into “tomorrow’s work”.
BLESSED BE.
WOLFIN )O(
Comment by WOLFIN — May 30, 2007 @ 1:51 am
Hi I’m taking the Vet Asst course thru Penn Foster online . I’d like more info on the pet cpr course in NYC .I’m very interested in taking the course , any info would be appreciated . thanks
Comment by mike — July 31, 2007 @ 7:09 am