For those whose hearts melt at the sight of a sick dog or injured cat, SAIT is offering a pet CPR and first-aid workshop on March 19 at the main campus.
Those who attend will stay one step ahead of injuries or illnesses that might occur in their pet’s life.
“The course covers basic pet first-aid, mouth and nose resuscitation, wounds and bandaging, basic illness, emergencies and dental care,” said Ellen Kovar, animal health technologist and instructor for the workshop.
Kovar will be teaching from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. using her three dogs and one cat as demo pets.  She said people shouldn’t bring their own animals, as training situations leave some pets feeling uncomfortable and trapped.
“Not all animals are comfortable in this type of setting,” said Kovar.  “It can be a long time in a confined area. If people’s animals decide not to get along then it could lead to disaster.”
While the course’s main focus is cats and dogs, Kovar said she’s had experience with exotic animals, such as birds and snakes, and can provide specific information.
At the end of the workshop, participants receive a certificate of completion based on attendance.
But more importantly, they gain the ability to deal with their pets injuries, and prevent illnesses that often plague animals.
“The idea for pet CPR and first-aid came from an annual education conference called LERN,” said Jennifer Hogan, earned revenue coordinator for the School of Health and Public Safety. “It was a very popular concept in the (U.S.) and we felt it would fit well at SAIT. “
Hogan said SAIT is the first post-secondary institution in North America to run a pet CPR and first-aid course.
While people learn to take better care of their pets, Kovar said the course is not a replacement for veterinary medicine.  Rather, it serves to inform people about their pet’s health.
“I think people need to make more of an effort to be knowledgeable about their pets,” she said.  “There are so many resources out there for information about animal health.”
Students interested in attending can register online at sait.ca right up until the workshop starts. The workshop fee is $130.