“K-9 Down” Event Teaches Crucial Life-Saving Techniques for Dogs in Dangerous Jobs
May 6, 2008
(New York, N.Y.) Professionals working to protect and serve face serious injury and possibly losing their lives on a daily basis. The same is true for their working canine counterparts. Dogs are not your typical agents, officers or emergency personnel and, in turn, need specialized veterinary medical care in an emergency. To make sure their human partners know what to do when man’s best friend is injured, NYC Veterinary Specialists in Manhattan will hold “K-9 Down”, a very visual and hands on event teaching life-saving techniques for dogs working in potentially harmful careers.
From fire prevention & control teams, various task forces, search & rescue teams, law enforcement agencies, HAZMAT squads, US Border Patrol agents, to working with the US Department of Justice and even the FBI, dogs are an essential part of the everyday work done to protect and serve human beings.
“We treat our dogs the same way we would treat out task force members. They are members of our family. ‘K-9 Down’ is an invaluable asset and an incredible teaching tool for our medical specialists. If any of our dogs are injured, ‘K-9 Down’ insures they can receive the same level of care,” says Lieutenant Ernie Capote, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue & Florida Task Force 1.
At the sessions, taking place on May 17th and 18th, board-certified veterinary specialists will teach professional canine working dog handlers from across the country how to treat gunshot wounds, eye injuries, perform CPR, apply bandages, take vital signs and do other things that are essential in helping an injured animal survive. According to Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist Vanessa Kuonen, “’K-9 down’ is very special because it gives handlers the basic tools they need to stabilize canine injuries until they can be seen by a veterinarian. I’ll be giving important tips to participants about canine eye trauma. After all, without their eyes, working canines can’t work!”
The fully-booked program is helpful for fire rescue workers who may pull their canine counterparts from a burning building or come across an animal with some other type of health emergency. “We’re thrilled about the overwhelming response from professional working dog handlers across the country. It’s an honor to be able to open our doors and offer such an incredible program, a program we hope will save the lives of those working to save ours, both human and canine,” says Gail Moore, K-9 Down Program Administrator, NYC Veterinary Specialists.
“K-9 Down” is made possible by the Frankie’s Friends Charitable Pet Foundation at NYC Veterinary Specialists. This Foundation raises funds to support research, education and indigent care for the pets and people of our community. Visit www.nyc-vs.com/giving/ for more information.
About NYC Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center
Opened in the fall, 2006, NYC Veterinary Specialists was founded with the concept of providing a superior level of patient and client care through close cooperation with the family practitioner. In addition to referral appointments, the hospital is open 24 hours a day for case transfers by the family practitioner and after-hours emergencies. NYC Veterinary Specialists serves as an extension of the general practice. Their specialized services include Behavior, Cardiology, Critical Care, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Oncology/Radiation, Ophthalmology, Radiology and Surgery.
NYC Veterinary Specialists is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is located in Manhattan at 410 W. 55th St. between 9th and 10th Avenues, across the street from the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. For further information, please visit www.nyc-vs.com
(Photo Courtesy of K.C. Bailey Photographic)
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