Source: Raven Radio
At the Alaska Fire Conference in Sitka, veterinarian Dr. Toccoa Wolf of Sitka Animal Hospital trained firefighters to perform CPR and first aid on pets using a stuffed dog for demonstration. The workshop—so popular it required a second session—taught participants how to assess breathing, deliver oxygen, and adapt techniques for different breeds, such as flat-faced dogs like French bulldogs. Wolf emphasized the importance of pet emergency care in rural Alaska, where Veterinary hospitals are often distant.
Firefighters left equipped with animal oxygen masks and breathing tubes, as well as guidance on collaborating with veterinarians to create animal rescue protocols. The training proved timely, occurring shortly before Typhoon Halong displaced thousands and separated many Alaskans from their pets. Drawing from her humanitarian experience, Wolf underscored that pets are often people’s top concern during disasters and that including veterinarians in emergency response is essential to supporting both humans and their animal companions.