Learning first aid can help your pet live a long life.
Since June 2011 Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation has sponsored pet first aid classes in Bridgeville and surrounding communities in the south and west of Pittsburgh. Although there is usually a charge for attending these classes, Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation offers these sessions free of charge in an attempt to offer families the skills they can use to help 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,” says 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.
After working with a number of families who found themselves in these circumstances she wondered if there was anything that Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation could do to help prevent such a tragedy.
She partnered with Karen Sable, a certified pet CPR and first aid instructor, and 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.
CERTIFICATION CLASS
The four-hour certification class covers, for both dogs and cats:
- 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
- creating 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.
These classes are also open to animal professionals:
- veterinary technicians
- practice managers
- groomers
- pet sitters
- dog day care employees
- pet kennel and resort employees
- anyone who handles animals on a regular basis
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 emergencies.
Though classes are free attendees in past sessions so appreciated them that they offered donations to Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation, and Deb and Karen coordinated the purchase and donation of two sets of O2 Fur LifeTM pet oxygen masks to the EMS organizations of Mt. Lebanon and Bethel Park where the donations were collected.
Because the certification class requires hands-on training, space is limited so participants must register to attend by calling Deb at 412/220-7800. Please check the Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation website www.ccpc.ws for details as other classes are scheduled.
REGISTRATION
The classes require preparation and space is limited so participants must register to attend by calling Deb at 412/220-7800.
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