American Red Cross offers pet first aid courses in Missouri
Mary Rice, Best Friends Network News VolunteerLast summer my two dogs were attacked. Everything turned out okay in the end, but it was an awakening experience - one that I now know I could have been more prepared for if I had taken the pet first aid course offered through the American Red Cross.
My story is a simple and an all too common one. We were out for our normal evening walk, when a dog ran across the street, no owner in sight, and proceeded to grab my 15 pound shih zhu by the neck and thrash him around. Then he went after my black lab mix, who let out such a loud and terrible yelp that I hope never to hear it again. The owner then quickly came and took her dog, trying to convince me that he was just playing. But I knew that was not the case. After proceeding directly home, walking as quickly as possible, I examined the dogs to find that the black lab had large puncture wounds in his back legs. I then called the emergency vet, informing them that we were on our way and headed out.
Everything was fine in the end. The little dog was unharmed, and the big dog’s wounds eventually healed. But at that moment, when they were being attacked, I did not know what to do. What would I have done if they were too injured to walk back home? What could I do if one of them stopped breathing? I was unprepared then, but now I have the opportunity to become prepared in case something unfortunate happens to them again.
I have this opportunity because the American Red Cross offers a pet first aid course in several counties around Missouri. This course offers the information needed to help my animals in case they become injured, ill, or are in a disaster area. This is the type of class that can make the difference in your pet’s life.
Find Out More American Red Cross Pet First Aid CoursePhoto credit: Mary Rice