Red Cross to teach pet first aid

Have you ever wondered how to give CPR to your cat?

On Saturday, the American Red Cross is offering a First Aid training course for owners of cats and dogs.

While learning pet CPR is part of the curriculum, the course will also teach pet owners how to know when their cat or dog is healthy so they can recognize when something is wrong. The course also teaches pet owners how to tell when their pet has a problem and how to safely get their pet to a veterinarian. Lastly, the course helps pet owners prepare and build a plan for what to do when a natural disaster strikes.

“It is a shame when a person does not leave a natural disaster area, like during Hurricane Katrina, because they cannot find a way to take their cat or dog with them,” said Don Creek, director of health and safety classes.

The course will be taught by Ryan Todd, a professor of safety management at IU. Todd has been teaching CPR and emergency preparation at the American Red Cross for eight years and has EMT experience. Todd and Koah, a chocolate lab, are also part of Argus, a canine search and rescue unit based out of Bloomington.

“These trainings started about three years ago and slowly began to become more popular. It just kind of exploded,” Todd said. 

The course is designed so individuals with limited knowledge can leave with information on how to keep their cat or dog safe. During the course, pet owners will learn CPR, first aid techniques and special treatment techniques for when their dog or cat is severely injured. They will learn how to maintain their pets’ well-being and preventive health technique and make a first-aid kit for their pet.

“I have already had people tell me they have done CPR on their pet,” Creek said.
The course focuses on making sure pet owners are prepared for any emergency situation; they understand what to do and know how to ensure the safety of their pet and themselves.

The course will also give pet owners access to a DVD that has about 70 specific situations and how to deal with those scenarios, Creek said. Some situations include birthing emergencies, being hit by a car, choking and suffocation. The DVD also comes with a manual with more direction on how to approach these situations.
After the general first-aid class, everyone has the opportunity to stay and go through the pet first-aid leader training. The course is directed toward potential trainers familiar with basic knowledge of the American Red Cross. The orientation takes about an hour and can be completed online.

Any person who has a love for animals, likes to volunteer and is really involved with pets would be a good candidate for becoming a pet trainer, Creek said.

“These classes are important because it is best to know emergencies before they happen,” Todd said. “It gets you to refocus your efforts on animals instead of people. You don’t need it 90 percent of the time, but the 10 percent you do, it is very effective.”

The class will be taking place in the Red Cross office, 411 E. Seventh St. The registration fee is $25. Anyone interested in the course must pre-register by calling 332-7292 or by visiting the office.