January 15, 2007 — Pets America and the Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI) are pleased to announce the release of a new program, Pet First Aid and Disaster Response. The text, published by ECSI’s exclusive publisher, Jones and Bartlett, is available now. The instructor ancillaries for the course will be released shortly.
Written by Elaine Acker, Pets America CEO, and with expert guidance from more than 400 veterinarians, the text offers valuable advice on dealing with everyday pet emergencies as well as preparing for and responding to disaster situations. Photos and illustrations show how to treat and manage the 10 most common pet emergencies, including bite wounds, bleeding, heatstroke, and teach readers hands-on skills including CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and how to safely transport an injured or ill animal to the vet.
“The connection between people and their animals is extremely powerful. This book provides sound veterinary advice to help people care for their pets in emergencies,” said Gary L. Stamp, DVM, Executive Director, International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.
Pets America works with municipalities to ensure pets are included in disaster plans, and offers training materials to help volunteers set up and manage shelters that allow pets to be housed adjacent to their owners in cases of natural or human-caused disasters. The urgent need to include pets in disaster has gained momentum in recent national and state legislation, and Pets America’s work is now being recognized for its education and outreach efforts.
The Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI) “is very pleased to partner with Pets America on this new national initiative to educate pet owners and caregivers about the importance of providing first aid, and caring for their pets in the event of disaster. Through its extensive training network, ECSI will begin offering courses in conjunction with Pets America across the USA,” said Dr. Larry Newell, National Executive Director for ECSI.
The Pet First Aid and Disaster Planning Response Guide is available for purchase from Jones and Bartlett Publishers for $14.95 plus shipping and handling. Orders can be placed by calling 1-800-832-0034 or by visiting www.jbpub.com. Volume discounts are also available.