K911 - Saving Search and Rescue Dogs

October 27, 2005 == MEDIA ADVISORY

The West Michigan Regional Laboratory (WMRL), Michigan State University and
American Medical Response are teaming up to sponsor a conference designed to
save the lives of emergency rescue dogs.

"K911: Emergency Life Support for the Search and Rescue Dog" will be held
November 19 and 20 at the Prince Conference Center on the campus of Calvin
College.

The conference will teach emergency service and law enforcement personnel how
to better care for injured working dogs.

"This is a world-class conference," says Dr. Alan Davis, director of the WMRL.
 "To have it come to West Michigan is a real coup. Emergency service and law
enforcement personnel will really benefit from this conference."

The conference has its genesis in such recent emergency scenarios as New York
City, on September 11, 2001, and Oklahoma City, on April 19, 1995, which taught
rescue workers that working dogs themselves were often in need of emergency
medical care.

The upcoming conference at Calvin, modeled after a course currently offered at
the University of Florida, will serve as training for canine handlers
throughout the Midwest. K911 will be taught by veterinary specialists from
Michigan State University and the University of Florida, including lead
lectures by Dr. Sheilah Robertson, the University of Florida professor who
designed the course.

Davis notes that those who participate in the conference will not only gain
knowledge, but also the confidence and skills necessary to provide immediate,
stabilizing care to injured dogs, giving them the best chance of reaching a
veterinarian alive.

Michigan State organizers are pleased to be part of the conference.

"It provides a timely service to our nation and benefits working dogs that
serve mankind. It is a win-win situation," says Dr. Janver Krehbiel, acting
dean of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Lecture topics will include advanced emergency care skills for smoke
inhalation and burn care, narcotic overdose, emergency medications, CPR and
more. A skills session will teach vital signs, bandaging, airway management
and other emergency procedures.

The Kent County Animal Shelter is donating dogs to serve as models for these
nonsurgical procedures. Local veterinarians have volunteered to neuter the dogs
following the conference and the dogs will then be available for adoption.

"These dogs are heroes, saving the lives of other dogs," says Davis. "If not
used for this event, they would be euthanized, like many local strays. They
will not be harmed, their care will be supervised by a veterinarian at all
times and they will receive loving homes."

The registration fee for just the Saturday lectures is $200 prior to November
1 or $220 after November 1. Conference registrants who wish to attend both
days (the lectures and the skills sessions) pay $350 prior to November 1 or
$375 after November 1. For information on registering for the conference see
www.wmrl.net or phone WMRL at 616-526-8440.

Media Contact: Dr. Alan Davis at 616-454-9960 or davisa@msu.edu

-end-
Received on Thu Oct 27 11:10:44 2005