Learn how to save furry friends

NORWALK — Local human residents have the opportunity to learn a valuable skill that may help save the lives of local furry residents. The Firelands Community Cat Coalition is holding a fundraiser on Aug. 9 from 2-5 p.m. at the Culinary Vegetable Institute, 12304 Mudbrook Road, Milan, in which participants can earn a "canine and feline CPR and first aid certificate." Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is a medical procedure to try to restore blood circulation and breathing when a human or animal has suffered cardiac arrest. Although the success rate for CPR in pets is lower than in humans, some animals do respond to CPR. As a result, knowing this critical skill in a medical emergency involving your cat or dog is essential, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Understanding how to perform CPR on pets is a vital skill that all pet owners can benefit from. Just like CPR can save a human's life, CPR on pets could save a life in an imminent medical emergency. Despite the importance of this vital technique, many pet owners are not confident in performing CPR on a pet, according to a news release. This class will certify the participant in Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid. Participants will receive a PetCPR+ Certification valid for two years, the course also confers professional continuing education credits. "This course will award 3 continuing education units to veterinary professionals, 3.5 to certified dog trainers and 3 units to members of Pet Sitters International," according to the release. The program is based on the industry standard method of animal CPR and is designed to teach the participant how to administer emergency CPR and first aid to an animal until veterinary care is ascertained. The skills and topics covered in this class include: • Safety techniques when working with sick and/or injured animals. • How to perform emergency triage and assess if an animal is experiencing a life threatening medical emergency. • How to restrain and properly transport sick and/or injured animals. • How to provide emergency first aid to dogs and cats en-route to veterinary care. • How to take vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, CRT) and determine normal vs abnormal readings. • Learn about the importance of the pet first aid kit and how to use the materials in it during an emergency. • How to manage and provide first aid for many common medical emergencies such as severe wounds, poisoning, burns, choking and more. • How to perform the most current industry standard method of CPR on dogs and cats. Registration includes: • An official certificate. • Two-year subscription to online Animal Emergency Resource Center. • Your choice of the 88-page full color class manual, either as an E-book (view only/cannot be printed) or a printed copy (additional $24.95). • Businesses, organizations and groups may request a professional, frameable certificate and window decal to hang in their place of business to promote that their staff/members are certified. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stuffed animal to practice skills on during the class. The registration fee for the event is $74.95. For more information, see the group's website: communitycatsohio.org.