Rescue Dog Care Conference at Calvin

April 21, 2006
 
It was a lesson learned on September 11. Learned again in Oklahoma City. And
learned again most recently in the aftermath of Katrina.

Rescue dogs save lives.

But who saves the rescue dogs when they are injured - as is often the case in
emergency scenarios.

An upcoming conference at Calvin College will address that question.

On May 6-7, the West Michigan Regional Laboratory (WMRL), Michigan State
University and American Medical Response are teaming up to sponsor "K911:
Emergency Life Support for the Search and Rescue Dog."

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."

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.

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 lectures is $150. Conference registrants who
wish to attend both days (the lectures and the skills sessions) pay $300.

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

For the full story see http://www.calvin.edu/news/releases/2005_06/k911.htm

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Received on Fri Apr 21 10:43:40 2006