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Community Corner

Guiding Eyes for the Blind Offers Pet First Aid and Emergency Care Course

Kelly Lee, Community Contributor
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On Thursday, November 21, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, known around the globe as one of the foremost guide dog schools, will offer a Pet First Aid and Emergency Care course for dog and cat owners from 6:00 – 8:00pm at the nonprofit’s Headquarters and Training Center in Yorktown Heights. Presented by Guiding Eyes’ veterinary staff, the course will cover the most common problems and presentations of animal emergencies and how to address them. 

Veterinary staff will discuss the fundamentals of pet first aid and provide a step-by-step guide on creating your own first aid kit. Attendees will learn to identify a true animal emergency, such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, trauma, non-responsive behavior or eye injury, and the steps that should be taken in each case. The course covers common toxins for dogs and cats, how to handle injuries from heat or cold, CPR and artificial respiration, as well as what to expect behaviorally from your pet in an emergency situation.

Guiding Eyes operates two fully equipped veterinary facilities, one at the main campus in Yorktown Heights and the other at the Canine Development Center in Patterson. From these facilities, three Guiding Eyes veterinarians and three licensed veterinary technicians provide around the clock care for all Guiding Eyes dogs.

“By taking the simple precautions we outline in the course, pet owners can significantly reduce the likelihood of an emergency room visit with their cat or dog,” said Dr. Jody Sandler, Guiding Eyes’ Director of Veterinary Services. “If such a situation should arise, however, knowing what to do is absolutely critical.”

The Pet First Aid and Emergency Care course is $50 per person with all proceeds directly benefiting Guiding Eyes’ programs and services. Space is limited and reservations are required by November 15. For more information or to register, contact Erica Stanzione at 914-243-2238 or estanzione@guidingeyes.org.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.
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