More than 80 dog owners from across the north-west of England attended free canine first aid clinics held at a popular Cheshire animal hospital.

The four evening sessions at Linnaeus-owned Northwest Veterinary Specialists (NWVS) in Runcorn highlighted vital techniques for dog owners which might save the life of their pet in an emergency.

Enthusiastic owners also learnt the principles of first aid and common medical emergencies. With the support of the nursing team, owners then had the opportunity to practice CPR and bandaging on animal models.

Among the feedback from those attending was: “I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and the practical sessions. I will take this learning and information with me to hopefully feel more confident and assured relating to doggy first aid.”

Another dog owner said: “Just a quick email to thank the team for such a fantastic experience yesterday evening. Everyone was so welcoming, I learnt so much and feel much more confident that I’m better equipped to deal with emergencies if I ever am put in that situation moving forward.”

Tina Wright, head of nursing services at NWVS, said: “It was great to see so many devoted dog owners come to NWVS and attend our free dog first aid clinics.

“Even we were surprised by the numbers and is a clear sign of the close and loving bond that many dog owners have with their four-legged friend.

“Such was the success of the clinics, that I’m sure we’ll be looking to hold more in the future so we can pass on our knowledge to even more dog owners who think they can gain from learning some important techniques while gaining a deeper insight into canine welfare.”

NWVS recently received Dog Friendly Clinic accreditation from Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA).

The animal hospital implemented several upgrades to achieve the coveted accreditation, including making changes to its current layout, moving equipment so dogs can feel as calm as possible and placing treats in all consult rooms, reception and wards to gain trust and reward patients.

NWVS is one of the UK’s leading specialist-led animal hospitals. It offers care in anaesthesia and analgesia, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery. 

For more information on Northwest Veterinary Specialists, visit www.nwspecialists.com or search for Northwest Veterinary Specialists on social media.

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