ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. (WGNO) — Nonprofit Anna 4 Paws has donated canine-friendly first-aid kits to local sheriff’s offices to help keep animal employees safe.
Founder Adrian Thompson says he came up with the idea after his dog was injured, but he didn’t have the tools to help her.
“We send these dogs on suicide missions across the country. More often than not, they are sent back to us healthy. When they do not come back to us healthy, we need to be able to stabilize those animals and set them up for a successful recovery and a successful treatment,” said Thompson.
K-9 tourniquets, x-rays and even allergy medicine are just a few items you’ll find in the bag. Thompson says the nonprofit encourages handlers to get hands-on.
“Hands-on training with these dogs to learn how to take temperature or wrap wounds. Wrap laceration, how to splint a broken limb. We literally bring you the equipment, get you trained, and we step away,” said Thompson.
Dr. Margaret Trumble emphasized that getting handlers comfortable performing pre-hospital care could keep an animal alive long enough for life-saving treatment.
“Can actually save countless lives. There are a lot of things that we can show them that they can help with so that by the time they get to us we can do what we need to do,” said Trumble.
But the nonprofit didn’t stop there, teaming up with local doctors to keep the cause ongoing.
“Once they use any of the products in the kit, the items in the kits they can get with our local veterinarians, and they will restock the kits for free,” said Public Information Officer for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jenni Barrette.
Veterinarians in the area of the sheriff’s offices will also cover the initial costs for the bag and its contents, pledging to replace items as they’re used or expire.
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