SIERRA VISTA, Ariz.(KGUN) – Sierra Vista Animal Control, 6799 E, 6799 AZ-90, hosted Encompass Canine for two classes on Pet CPR and First Aid for professionals who work with animals on a daily basis.
Senior Animal Control Officer Tammy Gould-Berry of the Sierra Vista Police Department worked with Krista Kurvers, owner of Encompass Canines, to bring her class to Southern Arizona. Encompass Canine provides pet CPR and first aid training to groups across the country, although it is based in Colorado.
“This is the step in between, so the emergency happens and if someone knows first aid or CPR, they can start things on the way to the vet or before the vet can get there to mitigate the damage,” Kurvers said. “So it’s just the step in between for a better outcome for the animal.”
Participants learned how to perform CPR on dogs and cats, how to apply a tourniquet, where to check for a pulse since animals have different anatomy than humans, and other life-saving techniques.
Gould-Berry said she wanted to bring this class to the area because the animal control office has been getting calls from the community asking if they can help with medical emergencies. She said that with certain skills, animal control officers can do more than just take the animal to a veterinarian’s office.
“As animal control officers we’re all about educating ourselves so we can be a better resource for our community,” Gould-Berry said.
Supervisor for Sierra Vista Animal Control Arleen Garcia said it’s been 10 years since this type of class was offered in the city, but said there could be other opportunities for more of these types of classes if there is a demand for them.
Animal control officers from Santa Cruz County and Yuma attended the class in addition to local first responders.
