Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association
A member of the American Rescue Dog Association
Canine Health
Canine First Aid
Search and rescue dog handlers are required, at a minimum, to have Advanced First Aid & CPR...for humans. Canine health is just as important, and handlers need to have the basic understanding of how to recognize & treat injuries, and when to rush to the vet. It is strongly encouraged for handlers to take a dedicated canine first aid class, such as this Tactical Canine Casualty Care (TC3) Course. Read more about K9 First-Aid here.
Controlling Fleas and Ticks
Controlling fleas and ticks for our search and rescue dogs is an on-going battle! Here is a list of some of the most common "commercial" treatments we use, followed by an explanation of active ingredients in the pesticides used. We focus mostly on treatments for ticks, as ticks pose the greatest risk to the health and well-being of our search partners. Read more about controlling fleas and ticks here.
Index
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Search and Rescue dogs are required to work in all climates and environments. This makes their conditioning for work in cold and hot environments key to their success and even their survival. Knowing your dog's behavior tells and associated core temperatures is critical to keeping them safe. A dog who is actively seeking shade or cannot control panting should be cooled immediately, with the coldest water possible or available. Waiting for more advanced signs of heat stress can endanger the dog and reduce their chances of survival. For more information about heat injury and heat stroke, check out this webinar.