Is your family DOGSAFE?

Many of us have taken a first aid or CPR course, but how much of that knowledge would translate to animal care? Would you know what to do if you saw a dog hit by a car? How to best measure circulation and breathing? How to tell if a limp requires a day of rest or an immediate trip to the vet’s office?

DOGSAFE Canine First Aid training programs equip you with this information and more. Founder Michelle Sevigny is committed to improving the safety of all dogs in our community, and as she writes on her website, “Prevention of injury is the key, however, accidents do happen. What you do between when an injury happens and when veterinary care is available will greatly affect a dog's chances of a full recovery.”

Michelle has always been a strong supporter of dog rescue (her demo dog Monty is one) and HugABull in particular, and this summer she offered to sponsor a full day Canine First Aid Level 1 course for HugABull directors and senior volunteers. Considering the dozens of dogs we work with each year, this was a fantastic opportunity to hone our handling skills and better serve our dogs, foster homes, and adopters.

The session was a full-day, hands-on course, focused on assessing and stabilizing injured dogs. As with human first aid, the priority is to evaluate airway, breathing and circulation – and DOGSAFE allows you to learn by doing, using a specially designed canine mannequin.

DOGSAFE also covers common canine emergencies – poison, skunks spray, bloat, vomiting, and broken bones to name a few – giving you the tools to take quick and appropriate action should they occur.

Even the most experienced dog handlers amongst us walked away more confident and knowledgeable, eager to recommend the course to any dog lover. DOGSAFE equips you in case of any canine emergency – whether in your home with your own dog, or out in your neighbourhood.

Courses are offered every 3-4 weeks in the Lower Mainland, as well as in Nanaimo and Victoria. Visit www.dogsafe.ca for course information, and to check out the many resources there, including emergency contact lists every dog owner should have handy!