INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. –Indianapolis Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center (IVR/IVEC), central Indiana’s original 24-hour emergency and critical care center, plans to educate pet owners on how to assess and handle emergencies during its biannual animal first aid and CPR training class Saturday, April 13.
The session will take place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 22,000-square-foot veterinary emergency critical care center, located at 5425 Victory Drive, immediately south and east of the I-465 and South Emerson Avenue interchange near Beech Grove.
“This training was fantastic,” said Brian Massey, a former participant. “Having the doctor teach was phenomenal; we got real-life examples of situations to back up what he was teaching.”
As part of the class, vet techs bring in several dogs to engage with participants and demonstrate life-saving techniques like how to muzzle and/or restrain, how to carry and transport, and how to bandage and splint an injured animal.
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine will cover common emergency-related topics like head trauma, shock, bleeding, choking, poisoning, heat stroke, drowning, seizures, broken bones, burns, paralysis and more.
IVR/IVEC staff will provide hands-on experience as they utilize a life-sized mannequin, also known as the “ResusciDog,” to show proper ways on how to administer CPR on an animal.
Pet owners will also have the opportunity to purchase pre-made pet first aid kits to better prepare for emergencies.
Doors open for registration at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $35 per person, which includes an animal first aid manual, instruction from experts, extensive hands-on training, refreshments, certificate of completion and a tour of IVEC’s facility.
Pre-registration is required by calling (317) 846-8965. Payment is accepted in the form of a check or credit card (Master Card, VISA and Discover). Class size is limited, and attendees are asked to leave their own pets at home.