On Sunday January 28th, the Islip Town Fire & EMS Museum and Education Center hosted a Pet CPR & First Aid training class, the first of many fundraiser training opportunities being offered to the general public and fellow first responders.

With 38 students in attendance including pet parents, pet care professionals, animal rescue volunteers and emergency service personnel, the students were instructed in a variety of life saving skills by the museum's own historian Tom Rinelli who teaches this training in his professional capacity. Drawing upon his 25+ years of field experience as an advanced level pre-hospital emergency medical care provider and educator, the students were taught in a hands-on environment learning the skills of CPR (all size dogs and cats), emergency muzzling and restraint, bleeding control and dealing with medical emergencies commonly encountered in pets. 

Of particular interest was the attendance of a four legged student in the class - while students normally are not permitted to bring their pets to class (hands-on skills are practiced on simulated pets of all sizes), K9 Zera, a 10 week old Belgian Malinois in training to be a service dog was allowed to attend the class with her trainer Amanda of the K9 Center - K9 Zera was so well behaved, she completed the 4 hour class and was issued her very own certificate of completion! 

Following the tremendous response to this class, an Advanced Pet First Aid training class has been scheduled for Sunday, March 18th from 12-3 PM with nearly 3/4 of the class expressing an interest in attending. Interested students can register to secure a seat at www.pawsnclaws911.com/register-online 

This is the first of many fundraiser training events scheduled for the coming months including defensive driver education, historical presentations, babysitter safety and firefighter training seminars on the latest tactics. Watch our News & Events page for additional information!