Did you know that in many states, it’s against the law to give oxygen to a dog rescued in a house fire? Many fire fighters save them anyway. These kinds of outdated laws are changing and police dogs or K-9 officers are getting the emergency care they deserve.
K-9 Officers
We know that K-9 officers are some of the most valued members serving the public, in the police department. These fearless and special dogs sniff out missing persons, weapons, chase down criminals and enter crime scenes.
K-9 officers and their police handlers are partners – the dog’s loyalty is never questioned.
But unlike their police handlers, K-9 officers have limited access to emergency care. And that means no ambulance or helicopter for fast transport for emergency veterinary care.
Fortunately, things are changing for K-9 officers in the greater Houston area. These dedicated and skilled canines are finally getting the emergency care they deserve!!
K-9 Life-Saving Services
In December 2020, Memorial Hermann Life Flight launched the K9-Casuality Care Course (K9-CCC) and Transportation Service. Memorial Hermann Life Flight is a critical care air medical transport service.
Life Flight is unique as the first air ambulance service in the nation to provide training, treatment and transportation for injured K9 officers.
The K9-CCC program provides emergency care training for K-9 handlers, including poison control, CPR, wound packing and tourniquet use. Each handler receives a K-9-specific Individualized First Aid Kit (CPR mask for human-to-K-9 CPR) and gloves.
K-9 handlers are trained on when to call Life Flight for seriously injured K-9 officers. K9-CCC is based on the teach, train, treat and transport concept.
Specially-Trained First Responders
Around 200 K-9 officers serve the greater Houston area. Since 2019, over 200 K-9 handlers and 40 emergency medical services and fire fighters completed K9-CCC training for injured dogs.
The Life Flight program was a long time coming. Since 1976, Memorial Hermann’s late founder, Dr. James Duke wanted to do something to help police dogs. He had a goal and a dream to extend emergency care services to K-9 officers.
“Nero’s Bill” and AKC Support
More and more states (Colorado, Ohio, and California signed bills) are exploring and supporting legislation for emergency care for K-9 officers.
For example, the Minnesota House (H. F. 568) and Senate (S. F. 952) drafted a bill that would allow certified emergency medical personnel to provide emergency medical care to injured police dogs.
Florida Senator Tom Wright introduced the Injured Police Canines bill. And Massachusetts passed Nero’s Law to allow humane transportation of any K-9 officers.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports and provides updates on legislation on emergency care for K-9 officers around the country.
Animal lovers everywhere should support our K-9 officers! Visit AKC for legislative updates. And organizations like Active K-9 Medical Care offer grants to help Law Enforcement Agencies and Handlers with costs related to emergency medical expenses for active K-9s.
And states like Florida (Senate Bill 388), Delaware (Senate Bill 117 and Senate Bill 176), Utah (Senate Bill 28) passed, or are debating passing a bill supporting emergency medical services to provide care and transportation for K-9 officers injured in the line of duty (Nebraska Legislative Bill 910).
Thanks for stopping by!
Dr. Pet Mom
“My K9 partner is the silent hero on the streets.”
–Unknown
Topmost image source: Newport Police Department