MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The American Red Cross began the first dog and cat first-aid course here March 20.
“I think these classes are important for your pets,” said Mary Gaddis, class participant. “If you want to be a responsible pet owner, I think they should make this required.”
The first class was a first-aid-for- dogs class, which began at 9 a.m.
The second class was a first-aidfor-cats class, which began at 1 p.m.
“I think the hands-on instruction definitely helped. You actually get to do the actions as you learn them,” said Gaddis.
The class had a combination of lectures, demonstrational videos, visual aids, read-along pamphlets, take-home material and practice exercises with artificial cats and dogs.
Katherine Jones, station Red Cross manager, was the instructor for the first-aid classes. Jones has been with the Red Cross for five years and is currently volunteering to teach the first-aid-forpets course.
“I love my dog. Since I’m here unaccompanied, I can’t have my pet here with me, so this is a great way to stay involved with animals and help the community in a different way,” said Jones.
The course had over 12 lessons, including identifying dog behavior; performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; providing first-aid to broken bones; and handling specific situations like choking, eye injuries, heat stroke and poisoning.
The students used artificial dogs to practice first-aid treatment for larger animals and artificial cats to practice treatment for smaller animals.
Army Sgt. April Johnson, veterinarian technician here, attended the first-aid dog class. Johnson assisted in answering questions and giving additional pet care advice to the pet owners in the class.
“I think the class went really good; it was a lot of good information,” said Johnson. “With the veterinarian knowledge that I already have, the class was in line. There were no contradictions, so I think it’s a very resourceful and helpful class.”
Due to the short staff of veterinarians on the air station, many pet owners here don’t have veterinary access all the time, which makes it very difficult to respond to pet emergencies.
“We just want people to know how to take care of their animals, how to be responsible pet owners, and the things they can do at home when the veterinary clinic isn’t available,” said Jones.
Even though some overlook the many responsibilities of pet care, the class was a new experience to some and a refresher to those who were more experienced pet-care providers.
“Before I started teaching this class I felt like I was a pretty conscientious and responsible pet owner; then I went through the training. I definitely learned some things,” said Jones.
The classes run one Saturday a month at the Red Cross office located in the Marine Memorial Chapel. Walk-ins are accepted to participate in the course; however, if there aren’t any people signed up before the day of then class, the class will be canceled for that month. Signing up for the class via phone is recommended.
The course fee is $40 per person and $55 per couple. The course fee covers a pet-care take home DVD, the first-aid comprehensive guide book, which covers over 170 pet problems and how to care for them, and all course materials.
“My personal opinion is that every pet owner should take the class just to be aware of all the things that are out there and what you can do to take better care of your pet,” said Jones.
For additional information, call 253-4525 to speak to a American Red Cross Representative here.