Dog first aid course comes to Aylesbury vets

Hampden Veterinary Hospital is running the course which will teach hands-on techniques and give owners potentially life-saving skills.

The Anchor Lane hospital launched a 24 hour service a year ago. During that time, vets on duty at night have seen dozens of dog emergencies including cases of poisoning, cuts to paws, broken bones, choking and allergic reactions - many of which could have benefited from immediate action.

Now, the practice team is keen to advise owners on how best to deal with these kind of crises on the spot, before they are able to reach a professional.

It will also include guidance on other incidents such as intervening in fights, tackling bleeds, heatstroke and eye injuries, reacting to road traffic accidents and completing a full body examination and giving canine CPR.

Hampden Vets practice manager Anne Asprey said: “While this is in no way a substitute for professional veterinary care, we hope it will help our clients be more confident with their pets and also alert them to when their pets really do need our services, whenever that may be.

“We have been running a successful 24-hour service for a year now so this ties in perfectly with keeping pets happy and healthy at all times. We see many emergencies and our question is to owners – would you know what to do? After this course, hopefully they will.”

The course will act as a fundraiser for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, with a donation going to the charity which helps to transform lives by training dogs to alert deaf people to important and sometimes life-saving sounds, such as fire alarms, intruder alarms, oven timers and baby monitors.

There is a long-standing link with Hampden as clinical director Luke Cottis provides care for the dogs while in training as the headquarters is at nearby Saunterton.

Dog First Aid coach Bridget Simms, who has two dogs herself, a Staffie called Alfie and an old-time bulldog called Mabel, will be delivering the course.

All Dog First Aid trainers undergo exclusive, extensive training in canine first aid with registered members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Bridget said: “Hampden are a forward-thinking practice and supportive of what I am trying to do in helping their clients and offering something different. When you can go to work with professionals, help people feel more empowered but also tie it in with fundraising for a great cause then that is just a fantastic feeling.”

The course, costing £49.50, runs at Hampden Veterinary Hospital, part of the VetPartners group, on Saturday February 29 from 10am to 1.30pm.

Email [email protected] for more information and to book. Places are limited.