April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

Prepared Pet Parents Save Lives

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 1-out-of-4 more pets would survive, if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.

Pet First Aid Awareness Month emphasizes the importance role education and training plan in being a caring, conscientious, responsible and loving pet parent. It also stresses the importance of ensuring that the care you arrange for your pet when you are away are trained and capable, meaning that your Pet Care Professional should also have pet first aid training as well.

Planning for pet health and safety is important AND it is achievable in just one day. With all of life’s competing priorities, many pet parents forget about pet safety education such as Pet CPR & First Aid training class. But when their dog or cat suddenly has a medical emergency, they quickly realize the importance of this training.

Raising awareness is critical. It’s important to promote the important of putting aside one day every two years for pet safety education.

In doing, pet parents gain the knowledge needed to both prevent emergencies and also to take action when to help save their pet’s life.

Accidents and emergencies present themselves often and in many forms, examples include choking, near drowning, being hit by a car, or ingesting one of the countless pet toxins found in the average home (grapes, azaleas, acetaminophen, anything sweetened with xylitol, etc.).

Our pets are surrounded by hazards and these hazards can sometimes lead to medical emergencies.

Pet First Aid is the immediate care given to a pet that has been injured or suddenly taken ill. This includes home care and when necessary, veterinary help.

What occurs in the first moments following an accident can often make the difference between life and death; temporary and permanent disability; and expensive veterinarian bills and reasonable home care.

Learning pet first aid not only saves the lives of our companion pets in an emergency but also provides education to develop more relaxed and confident guardians. In addition, it can help pet parents and pet care professionals spot less obvious health issues through education about warning signs and what are normal pet vital signs.

“We encourage all conscientious pet parents to learn the skills and techniques of pet first aid, as well as become aware of common dangers that exist for their four-legged family members”, said Becky O’Neil, President of Becky’s Pet Care. “

All pet care professionals who work with animals at shelters, rescue groups, groomers, boarding and pet sitting are encouraged to learn pet first aid.

The skills gained from these courses allow professionals and pet parents to avoid pet emergencies and provide a higher level of care for pets in their care, sometimes uncovering health issues and performing life-saving exercises when needed.

Training is available in locations throughout Northern Virginia. Becky’s Pet Care PetPrep Classes are taught monthly by licensed PetTech™ instructors in Springfield and Herndon, and are also available to teach private classes throughout Northern Virginia.

Pet CPR & First Aid classes are open to industry professionals and the public. We want everybody to have easy access to pet first aid training. Shelters and rescue groups benefit not only by having their volunteers trained but through educating adopting pet parents.

The case for learning Pet First Aid is strong. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 1-out-of-4 more pets would survive, if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care

Becky’s Pet Care has been providing Professional Dog Walking and Pet Sitting services in Northern Virginia since 1998 and has grown to be one of the largest pet care companies in the area, employing over 140 Pet Care Professionals.

Winner of Business of the Year by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, seven-time winner of Angie’s List Super Service Award and voted “Best Of” by the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazines, our Pet Care Professionals are trained employees of Becky’s Pet Care and true animal lovers who provide professional, loving care to your pet.

Becky’s Pet Care hosts pet education classes under their PetPrep division, teaching pet parents and Pet Care Professionals emergency prevention and preparedness skills.