By Shilpika Das, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

Wednesday, January 02, 2008 — As a young mother, Virginia Marchetti decided to learn first aid so she’d know what to do in case one of her children got hurt. As her children grew older, she took two refresher courses in CPR and first aid from the American Red Cross to make sure her skills were up to date.

“I wanted to be prepared for any emergency, and it seemed like the cautious thing to do,” she says.

In November 2007, her Red Cross training paid off. Marchetti saved the life of a family member – one with four legs, not two.

The day began like any other. After the children left for school, Marchetti fed her two dogs and was going about her routine chores. All of a sudden she saw her four-year-old dog, Gryffin, lying on the rug beside her, looking like he was about to throw up.

“His eyes were bulging and his neck was extended in a funny manner,” says Marchetti. “He looked like he would vomit, and I realized he was choking.”

Quickly moving into rescue mode, Marchetti lifted Gryffin’s front paws, put her hands under his stomach and gave him a quick upward thrust. Nothing happened, so she did it again, a little harder this time. Out flew a couple of pieces of dog food.

Marchetti says she owes her lifesaving skills to the Red Cross First Aid classes she took 27 years ago. “I’m glad I knew what to do the day Gryffin choked,” she says.

Learn from Your Local Red Cross

Emergencies similar to this can occur suddenly and without warning. Knowing what to do in the initial moments can be critical to your pet’s life. Thanks to the Red Cross, pet owners can equip themselves with first aid and CPR skills.

American Red Cross Pet First Aid classes give pet owners the confidence and skills necessary to tend to unexpected emergencies until they can get their pet to a veterinarian. Many Red Cross chapters across the country offer classes with hands-on training in Pet First Aid procedures.   Please contact One Smart Dog for class schedules.  Reference guides are also available to provide quick answers to questions about caring for family dogs and cats. Red Cross Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid manuals can teach you how to:

• Administer medications;
• Recognize an emergency;
• Perform CPR and first aid;
• Treat common problems and emergencies requiring immediate attention; and
• Stock a pet first aid kit

The manuals come with a 30-minute DVD that features step-by-step instructions on safety procedures, disaster preparedness and dealing with medical emergencies.