We see you. We know you.

That furry creature isn’t just your dog. That’s your baby, your companion, your confidante, your friend, your ride-or-die.

Your dog is a member of your family!

We know you treat your dogs like it too, by feeding them quality food, taking care of their medical needs, and providing toys and a comfy bed to sleep in.

We’d like to encourage you to take your excellent care one step further, because we’d never want you to experience the heartache of not being prepared should your friend need first aid.

Why is knowing doggie first aid important?

Many people don’t really see the need to learn first aid and CPR for their doggos. “I’ve had many dogs and nothing has ever happened before!” they say.

But of course, you know in the back of your mind that’s true…until it isn’t.

Your dog has something in common with your babies, young children, and older family members. They are dependent upon you for help when they are vulnerable.

That’s why it’s important to be prepared. Your dog relies on you in the event of an accident or emergency.

And these sobering statistics should snap you out of that comfortable place of complacency:

• 92% of all pets will experience some type of emergency situation during their lifetime

• 60% of animal hospital visits are emergency in nature

• Preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among pre-senior dogs and cats

• 1-out-of-4 or 25% more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care (American Animal Hospital Association)

I won’t ask you to think about how you’d feel if an accident or emergency befell your precious dog. You already know what that would feel like.

Instead, I’ll ask you to imagine how you’d feel if, because you knew what to do, you were able to:

• Recognize potentially dangerous situations and avoid them before they do harm (Grandpa may not know that grapes and raisins are VERY toxic to dogs, but YOU do!)

• Being able to do basic assessments of your dog’s body and taking vitals when you feel like something’s “off”

• Knowing what’s “normal” for your fur-baby so that trouble waves a red flag you can see and take action upon

• Remain calm and proactive when an emergency arises

• Spring to action instead of being paralyzed with fear should your dog choke on a toy, get hit by a car, suffer a seizure, eat something toxic, get shocked from a chewed wire, or suffer frostbite or heatstroke

You’d not only feel grateful and overjoyed that you could take care of your dog, but you’d feel relief that you were able to avoid more serious (even deadly) and costly consequences.

And you’d have the confidence and serenity that comes with having the “insurance policy” that knowing dog first aid and CPR brings…you don’t want to ever have to use it, but if you do, you’re prepared.

What’s included in a good first aid course?

A good first aid course will go well beyond the basics of emergency care.

It should cover all the things you’ll need to give you the confidence and peace of mind you need knowing your dog is totally dependent upon you for their health and well being.

Yes, you’ll be prepared for emergencies, but you’ll also know your dog’s “normals,” their body lumps and bumps, their behaviors, and their normal odors so that when something changes, you’ll have the awareness to get your dog to the vet.

A good first aid course should cover:

• Importance of Pet First Aid

• 10 Situations That Require Immediate Veterinary Care

• Pet CPR (3 Styles)

• How to Put Together Your Own Pet First Aid Kit

• Rescue Breathing

• Restraining Your Pet

• Choking Management

• Heat and Cold Injuries

• Bleeding Management

• Poisoning

• How to Help Your Pet in a Medical Emergency

• Insect Bites and Stings

• Snout-To-Tail™ Wellness Assessment

• Snake Bite

• Snout-To-Tail™ Injury Assessment

• Assessing Your Pet’s Vitals

Some advances classes even offer:

• Senior Petizen Care

• Dental Care For Your Pets

Of course, taking a pet first aid course doesn’t replace veterinary care. But it may:

• Help prevent injuries or illnesses from getting worse from inaction

• Alert you to slow or sneaky illnesses before it’s too late

• Give your dog a sense of calm during an emergency because they pick up on YOUR sense of calm

• Help you avoid situations that could be harmful before they do their damage

Knowing how to render the right first aid to your dog will bring you a sense of peace and satisfaction knowing you’ve done all you can do to care for your

fur-baby,

your companion,

your confidante,

your friend,

your ride-or-die,

your precious family member

in the best way possible.