Traverse City Record-Eagle

Life

March 8, 2010

Red Cross offers pet first aid class Friday

Separate sessions for dogs and cats deal with ailments

BY LISA PERKINS

TRAVERSE CITY -- Emergencies come suddenly and without warning. Knowing what to do in the initial moments can be critical to the life of a loved one -- even Fido or Fluffy.

The American Red Cross of Northwest Michigan will offer a Dog and Cat First Aid class, Friday, with instruction in disaster preparedness and identifying symptoms of and caring for common ailments.

"People really think of their pets as members of their family and appreciate the opportunity to learn how to take care of them," said Kevin Bavers, executive director of the local American Red Cross chapter.

Participants will learn to administer CPR and rescue breathing and will take home the contents to make up their own pet first aid kit as well as a DVD and book with step-by-step directions for topics including giving medication and applying bandages.

"Pets really play a big part in people's lives and it is important to know what to do in an emergency," said class instructor Mary Fischer.

"Kids do things, for no particular reason, and get themselves into emergency situations -- so do pets," said Fischer, who has been teaching classes including the pet first aid class, for more than 20 years.

"Being able to recognize an emergency can make all the difference," she said.

Classes will be held in two parts with cat first aid from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and dog first aid from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the American Red Cross of Northwest Michigan chapter office, 735 S. Garfield Ave.

The cost is $30 for one portion or $50 for both. For more information, or to sign up, call 947-7286.

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