Emergency Care for Rescue Dogs

February 20, 2007 == MEDIA ADVISORY

Summary: A conference at Calvin College this weekend will teach on-site care
for injured working dogs.

Rescue dogs save lives, but who saves the rescue dogs?

A conference at Calvin College this weekend will address the growing need for
immediate critical care for working dogs.

"K911: Emergency Life Support for the Search and Rescue Dog" is a two-day
course that will equip emergency service and law enforcement personnel, or any
dog handler, to provide on-site care for their injured working dog.

The program is sponsored by the West Michigan Regional Laboratory (WMRL),
Michigan State University and American Medical Response.

"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."

This weekend's conference at Calvin is modeled after a course currently
offered at the University of Florida and it will serve as training for canine
handlers throughout the nation.

Attendees will learn hands-on instruction from Matthew W. Beal, D.V.M.,
George Bohart, D.V.M., and L. Ari Jutkowitz, V.M.D., all dedicated
veterinarians from Michigan State University, as well as University of Florida
veterinary professor Sheilah Robertson, B.V.M.S.

Workshop topics will include such things as:

*Health Hazards for Working Dogs - Lessons from Oklahoma and 9/11
*Basic First Aid
*Emergency Drugs and CPR
*Toxicity Risks for Working Dogs
*Smoke Inhalation and Burns

The skills lab, where participants will gain hands-on experience, will include
canine vital signs, intubation, bandaging and splinting, assisted ventilation
and more.

Continuing education credits are available through Michigan State University
and American Medical Response.

For more details see http://www.wmrl.net

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Received on Tue Feb 20 12:27:54 2007