For many, pets have always been an integral piece of the family unit. As a result of Covid-19, many more families added pets with more than 23 million American households adopting a pet during the pandemic according to the ASPCA. A MetLife survey conducted among pet insurance policy holders found that only 2% had taken a pet first aid course and only 10% had a pet first aid kit in their home. In addition, 49% of dog owners and 80% of cat owners acknowledged needing more training to be able to best care for their pet during an emergency. According to most recent data from the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2020, there were approximately 1.46 dogs and 1.76 cats per household in 2020. This would equate to approximately 69,191 dogs and 83,408 cats living in Boone County.

As a result of this information, the Boone County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences collaborated with a local veterinarian to provide a free pet first aid and CPR program in the Northern Kentucky area. The program focused on basic care of a pet, checking vital signs in both emergent and non-emergent situations, providing first aid care in emergency situations, performing CPR if necessary, and items to keep on hand in a pet first aid kit.

Fifty-nine females and twelve males attended the in-person program. Out of these attendees, 54% had never previously attended a program at Boone County Cooperative Extension. Each attendee was provided with a basic starter first aid kit that included tweezers for tick removal, premoistened towelettes, sterile alcohol prep pads, sting relief insect bite antiseptic and pain reliever packets, a pair of latex-free gloves, and a first aid guide with detailed tick information.

Results from a pre- and post-program evaluation found the following:

Assessing level of understanding based on a scale from 1 to 4 with Poor=1 Average =2 Good=3 Excellent=4

1. Understanding the basic needs of a pet increased from an average of 3.14 to 3.83
2. Discussing foods that are toxic to pets increased from an average of 2.75 to 3.72
3. Knowing how to check vital signs on a pet increased from an average of 1.92 to 3.70
4. Being able to express awareness of possible emergency situations increased from an average of 2.55 to 3.70
5. Feeling comfortable in being able to help a pet in an emergency increased from an average of 2.00 to 3.42
6. Understanding how to perform CPR on a pet increased from an average of 1.44 to 3.44
7. Recognizing items needed in a pet first aid kit increased from an average of 1.85 to 3.82

Regarding behavior change, 97% of participants plan to make a pet first aid kit for their home and 96% of participants plan to download the Red Cross First Aid app.

Responses following the program included:

1. “Thank you so much. Great information and gets me motivated to continue.”
2. “Very informative. Love pet classes.”
3. “Great topic. Speaker was knowledgeable and all information was relevant, and I’ll find it useful.”

Shortly after the program, the Boone County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences received a message from one of the attendees. She stated she was able to recognize that her dog was having a heat stroke and knew what to do because of the program. She said “It is a class worth having. It saved my dog’s life.”