Recently two CALS medics traveled to Virginia Beach Va to attended a two day emergency K9 care course. The course was designed by the "Veterinarian Tactical Group" to focus on emergency K9 care for working dogs (Police & SAR) in hostile environments. The first day consisted of trauma care and the second day consisted of medical care for dogs. Mixed in with the hours of classroom learning were several scenarios and lab work. The course was attended by USAR Task force members from around the country, the US Military, Virginia Beach EMS TAC Medics and CALS. Members of CALS are constantly training to keep up with current changes in EMS and sometimes branching off into area's that are non-traditional. With this training CALS now has members that are trained to help the "working dogs" of Calvert County Sheriff's Office (10) should the need ever arise. We look forward to sending more members to this training in the future.
Chief Shannon and Captain Sturmer work to stabilize a K9 manikin with a sucking chest wound.
CALS members work with VA Beach EMS Tac Medics to stabilize their K9 patient.
Chief Shannon works to control massive bleeding on the K9 manikin.
Members performing rapid trauma assesment on the manikin.
Chief Shannon with one of "Working Dogs".
Many props were used to help providers and handlers better understand our K9 patients.
Chief Shannon bandaging a real dog in the rubble pile.
Captain Sturmer working on a dog impaled in the "pile".
