Why Every Dog Rescue Group Should Take A Pet First Aid & CPR Course

I know the effort required for running a great Dog and Cat Rescue Group. It involves; the labor of love, sacrifice, the most rewarding experiences, but can also be full of heartache especially when rescuing those that have been in harm’s way which is an inevitable experience with a wide variety of situations/conditions. That is why proper First Aid techniques are so incredibly important to be able to; check vitals, create a plan, have a prognosis, and give these special souls the absolute best chances at survival and recovery.

learn dog first aid

I believe all Dog/Cat Rescue Groups should take a Pet First Aid and CPR course. There are hundreds of reasons to learn first aid, but I’m just going to go over the # 5 most important reasons.

online pet first aid course

“Knowing what to do in a critical moment could be the difference between life and death.”

Now that you understand why your team needs to take a class, I’ll just briefly go over a few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to get you headed in the right direction, and also so you can avoid a few awkward steps that I made along the way when I started in rescue.

What kinds of things will you learn?

Some topics covered in classes include but are not limited to:

  • heat stroke
  • seizures
  • severe scratching
  • CPR
  • vaccine reaction
  • fractures
  • trauma / hit by car
  • coughing
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • bloat
  • fever
  • wildlife encounters
  • limping
  • cut paw pads
  • poisonings
  • toxic plants
  • bee/wasp stings
  • choking
  • Preparing a pet first aid kit
  • snake bite
  • vital signs
  • abnormal behaviors
  • burns
  • paralysis

rescue dog
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Where can you take a pet first aid class?

Online, local clubs, community centers — but I think learning these important skills is easier online so you can go at your own pace.

How long does a dog first aid course take?

Generally, you can learn Pet CPR and First Aid in just a few hours. Pro Trainings has a 1.5 hour certified online course. It is one quick and easy way to have peace of mind and be prepared in the case of emergencies.

How long does the certification last?

2 years for most official certificates.

How much does a First Aid/CPR class cost?

For an individual, the prices can range anywhere from about $30-100 depending on the course. 

The class that I recommend for rescue groups is only $49.

animal and pet first aid class course

ProTrainings has individual and group courses available. Groups courses can often be cheaper per person which is a great way for Rescue Groups and Shelters can offer this to; Staff, Foster Parents, Volunteers, Donors, and dedicated Pet Parents.

Which course is the best?

When I talk to pet rescue groups across the country, I recommend ProTrainings First Aid and CPR for Pets.

Protrainings Pet CPR

I recommend this program because :

It is taught by a veterinarian specializing in emergency and critical care. – This literally is what she does every day.

The classes are :

  • Easy to take online
  • Easy to understand
  • Affordable
  • Proven in thousands of class participants
  • Nationally Certified

Highly Rated :

As of 2022 ProTrainings has over 680,000 reviews – and is rated 4.8 out of 5.

ProTrainings also provides an immediate certificate card, that you can print out and put in your wallet or purse.

Another perk is that you can be in the comfort of your own home – allowing you to pause it to let the dogs out (haha).

CPR for pets

Based on all my experience within the Pet Professional world, I definitely recommend ProTrainings Pet CPR and First Aid Certification course for all Pet Parents, Animal Rescues, and Pet Professionals like; Groomers, Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters, Pet Boarding and others.

Wanna Learn More?

It’s really easy to sign up and get started – – >

just enter some basic info on this page

First Aid and CPR for Pets
certificate

For future reference, ProTrainings also offers tons of other courses, such as:

Adult, Child and Infant CPR/AED
General Workplace Fire Safety Training
Workplace Bloodborne Pathogens
Online Practical Self Defense
OSHA compliant training for safely lifting and moving people
Hazard Communication (Right-To-Know)
Pet CPR & first aid

Dr. Candy Akers, DVM

Holistic Veterinarian, Veterinary Clinic Owner, Veterinary Medical Supervisory Board Leader, Certified Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist, and Author Dr. Candy completed her undergraduate studies at The University of Delaware and graduated veterinary school in 2009 from Oklahoma State University. In high school, she was drawn to wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife rehab gave her unparalleled experience in animal healing in a field that has limited resources and a wide variety of conditions to treat. Before vet school, Dr. Akers spent two years working full time providing oil spill response for wildlife all over the country. Since graduating with her Degree of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2009, Dr. Candy has specialized in companion animal nutrition. Extensive education in nutrition has made her a firm believer in species specific-biologically appropriate diets. One of her passions is educating pet parents about the natural alternatives that actually work. She brings the best of holistic health and conventional medicine together in a unique approach to pet health. This approach is often applied to chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions. She started her own veterinary practice 9 years ago in Colorado. Overall, she has dedicated her entire life to improving the health and happiness of animals everywhere.

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