Programs

The PetCPR+ Certification program is a flagship program designed to teach the participant the fundamentals of canine and feline CPR and First Aid. This course provides an overview on how to manage a life-threatening medical emergency that may occur with dogs and cats. It focuses on how to either try to keep the animal alive or prevent its condition from getting worse prior to arriving at a veterinary facility.

The skills an topics covered in this class include:
- Safety techniques when working with sick and/or injured animals.
- How to perform emergency triage and assess if an animal is experiencing a life threatening medical emergency.
- How to restrain and properly transport sick and/or injured animals.
- How to provide emergency first aid to dogs and cats en-route to veterinary care.
- How to take vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, CRT) and determine normal vs abnormal readings.
- Learn about the importance of the pet first aid kit and to use the materials in it during an emergency.
- How to manage and provide first aid for many common medical emergencies such as severe wounds, poisoning, burns, choking an more.
- How to perform the most current industry standard method of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on dogs and cats (Participants will receive a PetCPR+ Certification valid for 2 years).

This class is ideal for anyone who loves animals including animal professionals, shelters, First Responders, Fire/AMT and pet owners. This course will provide an overview of what to do for a pet in an emergency situation prior to getting veterinary care. Curriculum for all classes is developed by licensed veterinary professionals using veterinary industry standard methods of emergency medical care.

Please contact the Elmwood Community Center at (860) 561-8160 or send an email to ecc@westhartfordct.gov if you have any further questions about this program.