Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center donates to area first responders
A Helping
‘ Paw ’
Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center donates to area first responders
For any pet owner , their four-legged friend is a bona fide member of the family . One area animal hospital wants to make sure that when tragedy strikes in the form of a house fire , all family members get out safely .
The Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center ( VREC ), located in South Abington Township , recently made a donation to area first responders during its “ Oxygen Kits for K-9s and Kitties ” event where more than 85 pet oxygen mask kits were donated to regional emergency , fire and rescue companies .
“ At VREC , we ’ ve had a number of distraught patients and clients come in after suffering a house fire ,” said Dr . Nichole Danova , president and director of surgery at VREC . “ The vast majority of these patients come to us in the back of an ambulance , a police car , or from rescuers who were on the scene .”
“ There is a huge need for oxygen masks specific to animals ... with this product , we can save the lives of animals by administering oxygen during a very critical time ...”
“ First responders would have questions and concerns asking , ‘ Did we do everything right ?’ or ‘ Is there something else we could have done ?’ We realized that a lot of these police officers , EMS or ambulances didn ’ t have the right supplies ,” she continued . “ Although they did a great job adapting human products to the animals , they really need animal-specific equipment and the most basic solution for animal resuscitation is an oxygen mask .”
According to the National Fire Protection Association , it is estimated that 40,000 pets die each year in fires , most succumbing to smoke inhalation . In many instances , emergency responders are not equipped to fully assist animals because they lack specially designed pet oxygen masks and training .
“ There is a huge need for oxygen masks specific to animals ,” said Michael Schuman of Commonwealth Health EMS . “ With this product , we can save the lives of animals by administering oxygen during a very critical time when those patients need to evacuate smoke from their bodies .”
Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center is continuing to donate pet oxygen kits . Area first responders can call ( 570 ) 587-7777 for more information .
Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center has already donated oxygen mask kits to :
Archbald Ambulance Avoca Ambulance Black Diamond Ambulance Blakely Ambulance Chinchilla Hose Company Clarks Summit Fire Company Clifford Fire Company Commonwealth Health EMS Cottage Hose Company Crystal Fire Hose Company Dickson City Ambulance Dingman Township EMS
Emergency Medical Services of Northeast Pennsylvania
Factoryville Fire Company
Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance
Greenfield Fire Company Hamlin Fire & Rescue Jefferson Township Ambulance Jessup Hose Company Ambulance Justus Fire Company Lackawaxen EMS Moscow Fire Company Pennsylvania Ambulance Pittston Township Ambulance Pocono Mountain Regional EMS Scott Township Fire Company
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