It was a rough ride into the west of the Netherlands where this course was run. Lots of busy and aggressive drivers flowed like flotsam and jetsam on metallic rivers; a far cry – or screech – from the peaceful surroundings where I hail from! Mercifully, a couple of horses opposite the car park (see header picture) greeted me calmly! A small dog ran around the wheels of my car; I did my best not to make him my first practice subject!
Motivation
- I have a pet cat (or she has me for a pet).
- I’m a volunteer at the animal ambulance where we come across injured and sick dogs and cats.
- I have it in mind to follow a paraveterinary course. Not necessarily to become a paraveterinary assistant, but also because the education will open up a whole world of working with animals. I’m sure the part-time course will be intensive – and it will be in Dutch!
I signed up for this first aid course for dogs and cats with Aeres Training Centre, the same training company as the paraveterinary course. It’s a full day and I’m expecting it to be intense; a good test for me to see whether I can handle it and get through the Dutch, and of course to learn about first aid for cats and dogs helping me with my first 2 points.
Other Students
Who are my contemporaries? A short introduction from each of us revealed several people who work in trim salons, 2 are self-employed dog walkers, 2 people who I think are interested in becoming dog walkers, 2 work in a dog boarding company, and the last I can’t remember. All women, and a mixture of ages ranging from girls young enough to be my daughter to ladies old enough to be my grandmother.
The Course
The first aid course was run, delivered and hosted by Simone Thissen from Venucon Veterinary Consultancy. I was amazed at how sharp she was bringing facts, examples, demonstrations and answers to on-the-fly queries from the floor! Clearly she has an abundance of knowledge that goes way deeper than what she presented.
There was also a practical aspect in the form of a plastic dog which we used to practice mouth-to-nose resuscitation and heart massage, and cuddly toys to practice applying bandages. Putting our newly taught knowledge into practice like this really made sure I could do what I’d already seen and heard.
Simone easily held my attention (a good combo of interest and dynamic delivery) but by lunch I was shattered! I was glad for a break and a chance to get outside for some fresh air. During this time I stroked Rilaika, a beautiful horse who also enjoyed the fresh air. She was a huge beast snorting warm breath; a lot more powerful yet a lot quieter than the hand dryers in public toilets!
Slight aside for context
Decades ago when I was at high school, a teacher gave a lesson on human first aid. She put a stick inside a foam pipe insulator to mimic a limb, then snapped it across her knee. The stick (bone) fractured, whilst the foam (skin) showed no obvious damage. Someone in front of me fainted and fell off her chair. Her friend next to her bent down to see if she was OK; after a few seconds she was fine.
2 things stood out to me. The first I’m deeply ashamed about; I didn’t do anything to help and I don’t know why. I hope I’d behave differently should this ever happen again. The second is that I was disgusted with the teacher who also did nothing, except to say “See? Once the head is lower the blood flows back in and she regains consciousness”. I know this sounds hypocritical, but how can someone teach first aid but not carry it out when it’s needed?
And back to today.
There was some talk about shock, low blood pressure and how the body tries self-regulating. Then someone fainted.
And this is where heroines were abundant! Simone dived in to help, and so did another lady. And they both stayed with her to make sure she was OK. Simone “practices what she preaches”, and she also took care later in the course when gruesome topics / pictures came up.
If there was ever any doubt, surely no more validation is needed for the Simone’s integrity, and for me, it follows for the accuracy of information in this course!
Prevention is Better than Cure
I left filled with tons of first aid knowledge for dogs and cats, and although I hope I won’t need to put it into action, I do feel ready. That said, a cat sat behind the car as I wanted to reverse out. I moved him out the way – and other course members rushed back to pick him up again as he tried making his way back to where he was. None of us wanted the need to put our knowledge into practice!
The Course
Regarding my goals. Could I handle the day course? Yes, but the following day I was zonked. Could I follow the Dutch? Not all of it, but I think most. In any case, I certainly feel better prepared should my own cat, or a cat or dog on one of my rescues, needs on-site first aid.
Mission accomplished! 🙂
