Shadow, Casey and Ralph, watercolor © B. E. Kazmarski

Is there anything sadder than losing the companionship of your pet to death?

“Yes,” according to Deb Chebatoris, owner of Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation.  “When I need to work with a family whose young, healthy pet has succumbed to an accidental death, it is a double tragedy.”

Not only does the family experience the loss but there is a lingering feeling that “if only…” they would have done this or that, the death may not have occurred.  “I have worked with families whose pet died after being caught and choked by the collar, who suffocated in a potato chip bag,” she continued.

Recently, she had to work with a number of families who found themselves in this circumstance and wondered if there was anything that Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation could do to prevent such tragedy.

“As providence has often revealed the answer to my problems, in walks Karen Sable,” Deb remarked. “After we talked about arrangements for her dear departed Snowball, our conversation revealed that she had chosen to intensify her involvement in animal welfare and became a certified pet CPR and first aid instructor.  Through discussions, the two businesses, Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation and Pet Emergency Training LLC, have joined forces to help families learn what to do in the case of a pet life threatening situation.”

Focusing first on helping families in the Bridgeville area, Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation has agreed to sponsor a four hour pet first aid certification class at the newly constructed Bridgeville Public Library during the library’s Grand Opening weekend.  Following that, 90-minute classes are being scheduled throughout the Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation service area including Carnegie and Robinson Township. Classes in other areas are being arranged and will be posted on the Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation website.

Although there is usually a charge for attending these classes, Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation is offering these sessions free of charge in an attempt to offer families the skills that they may need to save the life of their dear pet.

“It is difficult when we lose a pet who has lived a full and long life, but it is practically impossible to say goodbye when the pet is only a few years old.  The grief is palpable in these situations, with families saying they had such plans for the life cut drastically short.”

The four hour class covers injury assessment, rescue breathing, canine and feline CPR, bleeding protocols, choking management,  heat and cold injuries, bites and stings, seizures, poisoning, fractures and limb injuries, and the creation of a home pet first aid kit. Participants will receive lecture presentations as well as extensive demonstration on stuffed animals and hands on skills practice. The class includes training materials, a first aid handbook, Certificate of Completion and wallet card.

The 90-minute classes will touch on some of the more common situations that might be encountered such as choking, a demonstration of CPR for cats and different breeds of dogs, heat stroke/heat stress/safety precautions about hot weather, plus disaster preparedness including what you need to have on hand in case of a disaster.

With the number of weather related problems we have experienced during the past several years (floods, tornadoes and large snowfalls with power outages), the western Pennsylvania area has not been spared the impact these conditions can have on our beloved pets.  All classes will help families be prepared for such occurrences.

There will be no charge to participants attending the classes offered by Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation, however space is limited so participants must register to attend.  Registration is being taken by Deb at 412/220-7800.  Additional classes are planned for other locations throughout the Pittsburgh area.  Please check the Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation website www.ccpc.ws for details.

Saturday , June 11, 2011, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.,  Bridgeville Public Library
Four hour certification class

Saturday, July 16, 2011, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Robinson Township
90-minute skills class

Monday, August 8, 2011, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Carnegie
90-minute skills class