Have you ever thought about having to provide first aid to your canine companion in the chance of an emergency?
Local resident of 30 years, Tracey Buchanan started Maritime Dog First Aid and Hiking Safety back in 2019, offering first aid courses to dog owners across Nova Scotia.
The purpose of the course is to provide owners with the tools necessary to give first aid before and when an emergency strikes!
Being part of this program includes many vital components, such as knowing your dogs nutrition and exercise, while also learning to identify what emergencies are and understanding when a vet is needed.
Some more serious types of training in the course include providing first aid via bandaging, CPR, splinting, choking, drowning and also being able to identify other health related emergencies, while understanding how to handle them.
Right now, across the Annapolis Valley, most vet clinics do not provide after-hours emergency services. Pet owners are forced to go to the city in order to receive medical care for their pets.
Having very basic first aid for your dog before getting to the clinic, or being able to identify what an emergency is could make a huge difference in their life.
Buchanan teaches her first aid through Canine Health Canada, which is a certified course.
Having this certification also helps with insurance purposes for businesses. If you or your staff get certified through Tracey, this can reduce the cost of your insurance for your business. This only includes dog related services such as, grooming, dog walking and doggy day cares.
Buchanan’s course is an all-day program, spanning from approximately 9AM-3PM with lots of hands on material.
This gives pet owners the opportunity to practice many skills with props and techniques, alongside many pet owners alike.
It’s in the best interest of trainees to leave pets at home, allowing for techniques to be practiced on props.
To take the course, it costs $169 and includes a 130 page manual along with a certificate that can be framed.
“I feel like I’m teaching people something really, really important.” stated Buchanan.
While many residents in the valley hike and walk, you never know where you might be when your dog suffers an injury when they require first aid.
Buchanan encourages anyone who takes her course to go home and practice the skills learned with their pets at home.
This allows your pets to get familiar with them being touched, while also providing you with practice.
Taking the course can save you money and vet bills by having the extra knowledge of knowing how to handle some situations by taking the first aid course.
This course is certainly something that many dog owners should seriously consider. Having that extra experience in the chances of an emergency, could be the difference.
Buchanan also travels across the province if people are interested. In the past, she has traveled to private homes, community centres, grooming centres and doggy day cares, even as far as Cape Breton.
Martime Dog First Aid and Hiking Safety’s next course is on February 23rd at Open Secrets Book Store in Kentville.
If you are interested in taking the upcoming course or are interested in taking one in the future, you can reach out ⤵️
https://maritimedogsafety.wixsite.com/home?
Pets don’t have a voice. They require you to take care of them. Take that extra step to be able to provide extra care for your pet when they need you!
Some photos provided.
Visit their page on Facebook!! https://www.facebook.com/maritimedogsafety
Adrian J.
