FEATURE | CRISIS CONTROL
Burt
helplessly because they didn ’ t know what to do , one groomer had recently been trained in a Pet Tech PetSaver class . Without thinking , she swooped in and began chest compressions and breaths and amazingly revived the dog ’ s breathing . They rushed him to his vet ’ s office , and the dog survived .
I taught a class many years ago at a doggy daycare , and the day after the course , they had two dogs in the playroom get their mouths caught up on each other ’ s collars and the pressure was asphyxiating one dog . Since the staff had taken the training just the day before , they jumped in ready to help . Within moments , the dog was revived and survived unscathed . You never know what day you will need your training and skills .
I also knew a pet sitter colleague of mine who was visiting her family out of town . Her family ’ s dog was outside with everyone as they enjoyed a summer barbecue , and the dog was suddenly stung by an insect and developed an anaphylaxis reaction to the sting and fell unconscious . Luckily , the pet sitter ’ s company had put her through a Pet Tech Pet CPR and First Aid Training course , so she immediately knew what to do , and she saved the pet .
The hard reality is that although there are many different statistics out there , CPR is not as successful as TV medical dramas might have you believe . There is a menagerie of tools available in a hospital to save a pet ’ s life , and even then , veterinarians estimate only 5-10 percent will survive cardiac arrest . Studies show that the sooner a bystander or pet parent safely and effectively starts chest compressions and breaths , the greater the success rate and the smaller the risk for neurological damage .
The following is a highly personal story , but I promised him that he would live on and continue teaching students in my classes and beyond . I am telling you his story so that you can learn from him . Our mission is to change and improve pets ’ lives through his story .
Beth Bowers with CPR demo dog Burt .
Burt ’ s Story : Burt was unique , to say the least . Burt was utterly amazing , to say the most . Flashback to 13 years ago : I traveled about four hours away ( each way ) to this small unknown Texas town with a tiny rundown county shelter after finding this intriguing and very unusual looking dog on Petfinder when I was 17 years old . While he was not my family ’ s first dog , he was my first dog . My mother was adamant that I was not getting a dog , but my rebellious phase had a late start , so I drove to Henrietta , Texas , and got my dog . This 110-pound , 5-foot-long , 2-foot-tall Basset Hound on steroids stole my heart instantly . He was my everything and experienced all my “ first ’ s ” right along with me : new apartments , new houses , new loves , new jobs . As many first dog owners in their 20s can relate , he was my only constant on that journey in my life .
He had horrible separation anxiety in the early years . He was a Basset Hound / Great Pyrenees mix and his deep Basset bark was sure to get me evicted . I could not deny he was as obsessed with me as I was with him . Luckily , since I was working in the animal field , I just took him to work with me every day . Now , as a dog trainer , I have better recommendations for separation anxiety , but I was green then .
Once my reputation and knowledge grew through the years , I started doing public demonstrations and events , and Burt began to build his reputation . At one point , he had more Facebook friends than I did . The first cue he ever learned was “ sleep .” And he did it so well that in 2007 , I became a Certified Pet Tech Instructor so that Burt and I could start educating the public in pet CPR , first aid and care for your pets , and he could show off his unique “ sleep ” trick . It merged my two passions of education and my medical background as a veterinary nurse , and Burt played “ unconscious ” very well .
44 Building Better Trainers Through Education Photos : Beth Bowers