Animal First Aid
Overview
This course is an interactive and hands on opportunity to acquire the necessary practical skills to assess and apply first aid to animals in emergency situations.
Primarily, the course covers pets living in the home but wildlife and birds are also included, and many of the skills taught would equally apply to horses and larger animals.
Who should take this course?
This course is invaluable for anyone interested in working with animals,or is already working with animals in any capacity: volunteer, professional, dog walkers, for example. Pet owners and animal lovers will also appreciate this course, providing confidence to know how to deal with the unthinkable.
You will need
The ability to photograph and if possible take short video clips to upload as part of the practical elements. A small amount of bandaging material will be required.
Entry Requirements
Enthusiasm and access to pets for the practical elements. No pre-requisite knowledge of first aid is required.
How long is this course?
About 30 hours, and we suggest you set aside about 4 hours a week – but it’s up to you. You will have tutor support for 3 months. You will have access to your course for a year.
Outline
This course aims to give the student who has an interest in or daily contact with animals a broad exposure to first aid situations, outlining the treatments they are permitted to give under the current Veterinary Surgeon’s Act.
Topic 1 – Basic Principles of First Aid
Aims
- To understand the UK legislation governing first aid
- To learn the basic principles of first aid
- To learn how to assess the essential functions of the body
Topic 2 – The Road Traffic Accident Victim
Aims
- To understand shock and how to treat shock in a first aid situation
- To recognise and be able to treat emergency bleeding injuries
- To recognise and stabilise fractures in animals ready for transportation to the vets
Topic 3 – Basic principles of wildlife first aid
Aims
- To examine the handling and care of common British wildlife
- To recognise common wildlife injuries
- To understand how to release animals safely back into the wild
Topic 4 – Wounds!
Aims
- To learn the risks and first aid procedures for wounds, including burns and stings
- To understand dressings and how to apply a bandage safely
Topic 5 – Health and hygiene
Aims
- To understand how to manage the micro-organisms in your environment – the good guys and the bad!
- To learn how diseases spread and put both us and our animals at risk
Topic 6 – Poisons!
Aims
- To recognise common poisons around the home and the risk they pose to your pet
- To make your home safer for your pet
- To learn how to deal with and give first aid for plants and mineral matter that can get into body organs such as the eye accidentally
Topic 7 – The first aid kit!
Aims
- To obtain guidance on the contents of an ideal first aid kit
- To learn more about treatments you can give at home without veterinary prescriptions.
- To gain practical advice on giving medications at home
The Tutor
Suzannah Stacey
I started life in practice as the veterinary nurse and receptionist, going on to do a Biology degree and a Veterinary degree and qualifying as a vet in 2002. I qualified 2 years later to practice in veterinary acupuncture, and now have a referral practice in the South of England.
I have trained nurses for many years and tutor for degree courses in equine science. My dogs have been extraordinary – two of them had three legs, and another one was blind – she lived to the ripe old age of 19 and a half. I currently ride a lovely Shire cross New Forest horse over 17 hands high called Huxley.
