EMTs and firefighters are used to receiving the latest training when it comes to lifesaving care. But on Tuesday, they encountered a different kind of training and patients: High-tech K9 mannequins. Gillette Stadium’s Putnam Club became a classroom of sorts for Bay State EMTs, where their patients for the lifesaving training weren’t humans but man’s best friend.Following the death of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon and the subsequent injuries suffered by his K9 partner Nero, Nero’s Law enables first responders to provide aid and transportation to injured police dogs. Easthampton police Sgt. Andrew Beaulie said it’s comforting to know that his K9 partner, Gino, will be taken care of if something happens.“It’s a peace of mind when we go out on those deployments that if something were to happen to him, he’s going to be treated and transported like an officer would be,” he said. “Pre-hospital care can make all the difference in whether the outcome is a good one or not,” said veterinarian David Schwarz, board president of the State of Massachusetts Animal Resource Team, or SMART. Schwarz said beyond the medical training, one of the biggest lessons for the more than 400 EMTs who were in attendance was safety.“Even a typical house dog, in an emergency situation, when he’s injured, can become very dangerous. So, we want to be sure that everybody stays safe when they’re trying to administer care for them,” he said. “Understanding that K9s are police officers, we all have a willingness to help. So, this gives us the opportunity to have that education and knowledge to care for our K-9 colleagues as well,” said Foxborough Fire Deputy Chief Tom Kenvin. As a show of support, Gannon’s mother, Denise, was in attendance. She said joy fills her heart to see the training and that it would make her son happy. “He’d be stunned. Absolutely stunned. And I think I can safely say he’d be one of those people in the crowd,” she said. Even though the training was basic life support, the hope is additional further advanced training will be available in the future.
EMTs and firefighters are used to receiving the latest training when it comes to lifesaving care. But on Tuesday, they encountered a different kind of training and patients: High-tech K9 mannequins.
Gillette Stadium’s Putnam Club became a classroom of sorts for Bay State EMTs, where their patients for the lifesaving training weren’t humans but man’s best friend.
Following the death of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon and the subsequent injuries suffered by his K9 partner Nero, Nero’s Law enables first responders to provide aid and transportation to injured police dogs.
Easthampton police Sgt. Andrew Beaulie said it’s comforting to know that his K9 partner, Gino, will be taken care of if something happens.
“It’s a peace of mind when we go out on those deployments that if something were to happen to him, he’s going to be treated and transported like an officer would be,” he said.
“Pre-hospital care can make all the difference in whether the outcome is a good one or not,” said veterinarian David Schwarz, board president of the State of Massachusetts Animal Resource Team, or SMART.
Schwarz said beyond the medical training, one of the biggest lessons for the more than 400 EMTs who were in attendance was safety.
“Even a typical house dog, in an emergency situation, when he’s injured, can become very dangerous. So, we want to be sure that everybody stays safe when they’re trying to administer care for them,” he said.
“Understanding that K9s are police officers, we all have a willingness to help. So, this gives us the opportunity to have that education and knowledge to care for our K-9 colleagues as well,” said Foxborough Fire Deputy Chief Tom Kenvin.
As a show of support, Gannon’s mother, Denise, was in attendance. She said joy fills her heart to see the training and that it would make her son happy.
“He’d be stunned. Absolutely stunned. And I think I can safely say he’d be one of those people in the crowd,” she said.
Even though the training was basic life support, the hope is additional further advanced training will be available in the future.
