The Prince William Parks and Recreation Department will be offering two pet first-aid classes to residents this spring.
“You have to prepare,” said Melissa Korzuch, president of the Prince William County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), in a release, continuing, “There’s no ambulance that will come by and pick up your pet. So, you are the first responder.”
The main focus of the course is to help pet owners remain calm when they see that their animal is in need of medical care.
Additionally, the class will speak about how to handle typical injuries that even humans face, including bumps and scrapes, as well as how to manage more serious injuries until they can bring their pet to the veterinarian.
The Parks and Recreation Department stressed that this was not a replacement for veterinarian visits, but is meant to serve as preparation for emergency situations when professional help may not be immediately available.
Any residents 12 and older can attend the classes. Participants can expect to deal with a variety of challenges they may face as a pet owner, including wound care, choking, poisoning and how to put together first-aid kits, according to a county release.
Two classes are scheduled currently. The first will be at the Ben Lomond Community Center in Manassas on March 7, and the second class will be at the Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center in Woodbridge on March 28.
Each session costs $50 and requires online registration.
