Pet CPR+ class held Sunday in Arlington Public House

A Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid training class was held Sunday at the Arlington Public House in Rochester. During the class, Amber Curry taught attendees how to handle emergency situations with cats and dogs. She will be coming back to Fulton County on Sept 25 for a private class for local first responders and animal control officers.

Around seven people attended certification classes for Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid training on Sunday afternoon at the Arlington Public House in Rochester. A percentage of each registration fee from Sunday's class was donated to the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center. The three-hour course is something Amber Curry, a registered veterinary technician, says is essential for anyone who owns or works with pets. 

Having more than 15 years of experience as a vet tech, Curry is also an approved instructor able to award continuing education credits, including certifications based on the industry standard method of animal CPR. Certifications gained from Curry's class are valid for the next two years. Curry said that although knowledge of pet emergency care is important, it should never be used as a replacement of veterinary care. 

While making sure pets receive regular check-ups, and recommended vaccinations is extremely important for the health and safety of the small animals closest to us, Curry said an emergency situation often happens when local veterinarian offices are not open. During these emergencies, pets may be dealing with a serious event that requires immediate attention. With the closest 24/7 animal hospital being more than an hour away, intervention in serious situations is sometimes needed, potentially saving the life of a pet if handled correctly. 

Lessons covered included safety techniques for working with a sick or injured animal, how to provide emergency first aid to dogs and care enroute to veterinary care, and how to manage and provide pet first aid in common medical emergencies such as severe wounds, poisoning, burns, choking and more. 

Curry announced that she is also partnering with the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, which will host her for a private Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certification Class for local first responders and animal control officers on Sept. 25, ensuring they, too, know the essential life-saving skills, and unique preparations to respond to emergencies involving beloved pets in the community.