First Aid for your Fur-ever Friends

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, and the American Red Cross wants to ensure your skills are up to their full pet-tential.

In times when you cannot get to a veterinarian, you may need to give your pet emergency medical care. Here are some steps you can take to guarantee no cat-tastrophes!

Gatsby aka Gatz/Mouse - 4 years old - Loves a good costume… and stealing food.

 Pet First Aid Online Course

The Red Cross offers a free, 35-minute online course for you to learn the basics on caring for your pet in times of crisis. Some benefits are:

• Learn how to check your pet’s vital signs accurately.
• Acquire preventative care skills for your pet.
• Gain the knowledge to recognize and provide first aid for the most severe emergencies your pet may experience.
• Have access to desktop and tablet compatibility providing flexibility to access how, when, and where you want to take the course.
• Obtain Red Cross digital certification provided upon completion.

Cody Hercules - 6 years old – Likes living the good life and playing fetch with his sister, Liza

Pet First Aid App

The Red Cross has an award-winning Pet First Aid app you can download to stay abundantly prepared to keep your pet pals safe and happy. The app is the perfect on-the-go reference guide for pet owners, with systematic instructions, videos, and images for more than 25 common first aid and emergencies. Now you can feel at ease knowing you have fast and effective safety tips whenever you need them!

Bruno - 10 years old – Happiest when napping in the sun 

Pet Safety Preventative Measures

• Make sure all household plants are varieties that are pet-safe.
• Consider latching cupboards shut that contain harmful chemicals.
• Ensure trashcans are properly concealed – pets can ingest bones and other harmful trash items that can cause choking. 
• Keep toilet seats down, especially if using an automatic cleaning system. 
• Make sure all window screens/guards are properly secure to prevent falls from high living spaces. 

Fiona – 3 years old – Will eat anything and everything.

Space and Routine

Dogs and cats alike are creatures of habit and crave routine. If you set up a proper routine for your pet, this will result in overall good behavior and general happiness. Here are some things to make your furry friend the best they can be:

• Food – Give your pet quality food at the same time every day. Not only will they know when food is coming so they will not bother you in the meantime, but this will also keep their metabolism balanced and strong. 
• Quality Time – Whether this is a daily walk, snuggle, or play time in the yard, your pet will find comfort in knowing they have a set period to spend with you. This is also exceptionally important during a move or new living situation. 
• Jobs – Pets like having a job to do to feel connected to their owner. Small tasks like getting the newspaper, chasing a toy, or trying to get a feather at the end of a string all put your pet at ease and feel like they are contributing. 

Pet Summer Safety Preparedness

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

Summer has arrived and the hot tempatures it has brought along with it are something to take very seriously. Not only do we need to take care of ourselves, but our furry friends, too! Here are some quick tips to keep your pet safe in the sunshine:

1. Never leave your pet in the car! Even if you’re parked in the shade, the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees. If you happen to see a pet inside of a parked car, locate the manager of the store closest to the vehicle. If the owner doesn’t return, call animal control or the police.
2. Don’t put your pet in the back of a car, specifically pick-up trucks. If a driver is to suddenly hit the brakes, undue harm can occur.
3. Watch out for plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides which can be fatal to pets, if ingested. Also, more than 700 plants can produce active or toxic substances which can cause harmful effects to animals.
4. Avoid heat exhaustion by providing your pet with plenty of water by bringing a water bottle and/or a disposable dish during walks or long trips.
5. Spaying or neutering your pet reduces the likelihood of dog bites, which are more likely to occur during the summer months.
6. Finally, make sure your pet is identifiable by a tag with their name, and your address and phone number, on a collar.

For safety tips on the go, download our Pet First Aid App in the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or the Amazon Marketplace.

Helping Service Members Through Loving Paws and a Wagging Tail

Therapy Dog Nikita and Volunteer Ken’s Story

Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer

Ken Vierra, who also has been an American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED Basic/Professional Rescuers Instructor Trainer for many years, is the proud owner and handler of Nikita, a Keeshond therapy dog. Nikita was born on June 11, 2013, in Charlottesville, VA. When she was nine months old, Nikita started her training at the Sit Means Sit Dog Training Center. After two in-home training sessions, Nikita passed the Canine Good Citizen Certification on June 7, 2014. Following the certification, Nikita attended group classes where she was called “a mini superstar” and deemed ready and able to pass the therapy dog training and exam. A few months later, Nikita graduated as a GoTeam Therapy Dog/Advanced Canine Good Citizen. For over the past three years, Nikita has been a member of the Caring Angels Therapy Dog Organization and in June 2017 Nikita became an Arch Angel, which is an Elite Caring Angel therapy dog.

Since 2016, Nikita has participated in the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Pet Visitation American Red Cross program. In this program, handlers such as Ken regularly bring their therapy dogs into the clinic during the daytime as well as participate in Outreach Events for deploying troops. At the Community Hospital, hospitalized service members interact with the therapy dogs, petting them and receiving affection. This facilitates a unique human-canine bond that can help break down barriers in a way that clinical therapists are sometimes unable to do.

Whereas service dogs are trained to assist an individual with certain tasks, therapy dogs are chosen based on their personalities, such as their ability to always be happy and to show affection. Their handlers dedicate a lot of time and resources to first obtain and then maintain the certified therapy dog status. The dogs are regularly reassessed to ensure that they continue to demonstrate appropriate, positive behaviors.

Ken describes that once he puts the American Red Cross work vest on Nikita, she knows she is in her working role. Whether they spend a few hours at a military outreach event, a full day in a Wounded Warriors clinic or attend group classes, Nikita wears her work vest as a badge of pride. From her Red Cross work and participation in numerous events for other organizations, she has been petted by thousands of children and adults and has been described as a “living teddy bear.” While Nikita gives her loving attention to her adoring crowd, Ken takes the opportunity to educate people about the different services that the American Red Cross provides.

Learn More About Red Cross Therapy Dogs

What Happened to Harvey Duke?

Written by: Rebecca Callahan, volunteer

On August 29, 2017, the Fantastic Four Shelter Team began its mission to open a shelter in Dequincy, LA near Lake Charles. Mayor Lawrence Henagan and local business owner Chad Kellogg allowed the American Red Cross to use a recreation center donated by the city. My co-lead Irene Gray and I began to plan the layout and assess the needs of the shelter, while Shelter Associates Robert Brown and Allen Harper brought Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and helped prepare to assist people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

After cots and blankets were ready to go, we began the hurry up and wait process that responders experience during incidents at one point or another. About an hour later, we were a surprised by a two month old labrador retriever named Duke Salazar who ‘checked-in’ to our shelter and proceeded to make himself the center of attention.  Duke loved the affection, so after the owner formally introduced Duke, he was left with us and proceeded to follow me around. As the team began to hunker down for the night and Irene and Allen went in for the first sleeping shift, Robert and I decided to keep watch in case some late night folks came into the shelter. At around midnight, Robert suggested we take a nap. No sooner had I dozed off than there was a wet nose on my sleeping bag wanting more attention. So for the rest of the night we hung out and slept in the back of the ERV.

Soon we learned that Duke had a case of worms. I will spare you the circumstances, but we decided to nickname him (what else!) “Harvey.” No other local residents required shelter that night, so the only registered client for the shelter was Harvey-Duke Salazar at the address next door.

As the waters began rising in Lake Charles, the Operations Management team deemed that the shelter was no longer viable due to the likely flooding of the recreation center. As a result, we began breaking down all the cots and packing the ERV to restore the shelter to the condition we received it in. Hopefully the Mayor and community will loan it to us again if a future disaster occurs. All the while, we were followed by Harvey and his cute looks while we packed up. When we completed the breakdown and everything was ready to go, I prepared to take Harvey-Duke back over to the Salazar family when my teammates Robert and Allen handed me a container of canine deworming medicine. I haven’t the foggiest idea how they managed to locate it, but it was a great way to help Harvey-Duke get better over the upcoming days. I was uncertain about how the family would handle the puppy considering all of the damage around them, but they were extremely grateful for the medicine. Afterwards the team drove our ERV to open a larger shelter at Burton Coliseum, in Lake Charles, LA.

No matter what our role within the organization, Red Cross employees work toward a common goal: supporting our mission. We strive to follow key values—known as the “Five Cs”—that guide our actions, every day.

1. Compassionate: We are dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.
2. Credible: We act with integrity, are transparent guardians of the public trust and honor our promises. 
3. Committed: We hold ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding our donor funds.
4. Collaborative: We work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations, and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
5. Creative: We seek new ideas, are open to change and always look for better ways to serve those in need.

I must admit that it is sometimes difficult to incorporate all the values. For example, I was trying to balance my compassionate and creative sides while wanting to rescue Harvey-Duke and simultaneously committing to the Salazar family and maintaining my professional credibility. Fortunately for me, I had a collaborative and committed team to help ensure that all of the Five Cs stay in balance.

Shortly after my return from the Red Cross disaster response and back to my everyday job, I received a call from someone in Dequincy, LA. I answered the phone thinking it was the Mayor with some follow-up information, but instead it was Mrs. Salazar! She had not been home during our time at the shelter and wanted to thank the Red Cross and our team for taking the time to get the medication for Harvey-Duke. She said, “Dear God! Where on earth did you get the medicine? I just asked my kids, ‘Please tell me you thanked them!’ Harvey-Duke is playful and is feeling much better. He is playing in the backyard with my son Joe and with my four grand-babies and he is feeling much better. He makes them so happy and we can’t thank you enough!”

For all those who are responding to Harvey, Irma and any other incident that the Red Cross is simultaneously helping with around the world, always remember that the impact you have is of value. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn the outcome for Harvey-Duke and the Salazar family. It is a rare gift to learn that after the flooding, that the kids, grand-kids and dog are okay. Now, if I can only convince my own dog Gizmo not to be so jealous about me snuggling with another dog.

Winter Pet Care

Written by: Melanie Benson, volunteer

With this week’s chilly start and flurries seen throughout the DMV, there’s no arguing that winter is here. Whether the season fills you with childlike delight or causes you to grumble and count down the days until Spring, the cold and snow require us all to take precautions to stay safe and warm. While family members bundle up, it’s important not to forget our four-legged, furry friends.  

Dealing with the low temperatures, snow and ice are difficult on our pets. The Red Cross and the Humane Society offer the following advice to help ensure that every member of our family stays healthy during this difficult time of year:

• If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water
• If animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles
• Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate a pet’s paws. Wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth 
• Antifreeze is a deadly poison. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach

The Red Cross also offers Pet First Aid classes for pet owners interested in learning more and taking further action to keep their pets safe in the winter. These classes teach pet owners the skills necessary to tend to unexpected emergencies until they can get their pet to a veterinarian. Search for a class in your area here!

My Red Cross Volunteer Story: Aslan the Dog

Written by: Emily Goff, Volunteer

Woof! Woof! Woof! Hey! I’m Aslan.

You got to hear all about my best friend, Rika, a few months ago here. Here’s a woof-tastic fact: Rika was the one that convinced me to finally step into those spooky portals you humans call elevators! I happen to be a four-year-old Leonberger – or, as some folks call me, a “gentle giant” – that also loves contributing to the great things the Red Cross does. My special human friend named Jen O’Keefe was the one who helped me become involved with this organization two years ago, and I've been playing with all sorts of kind humans ever since. Jen always sees the potential in me, and I always see the potential in her; the two of us are even certified for crisis-response at another organization called HOPE. 

Though my spirit is generally pretty calm, my ears unfailingly perk up at the words, “We’re going to the hospital to pay some visits!” Forget about treats – the best feeling comes from bringing some brightness and comfort to the lives of humans who are ill or injured. You wouldn't believe how wide the smiles on those people’s faces get when I simply hang out and let them pet me! It’s amazing; I love the reactions I get. And, hey, I also am not complaining about the free massages that are a constant part of my volunteering experiences. Clearly, I’m the laid back one, while Rika is the diva.

Through the Red Cross, I was able to spend an incredible couple of months as the furry companion of a six-year-old child undergoing chemotherapy. As you can probably tell, my pal Rika and I’s canine souls have become healthy and happy because of our volunteering experiences.

So… dogs and humans alike, I urge you to join the Red Cross and lend a helping paw! http://www.redcross.org/local/dc/washington/volunteer

After a house fire, rebuilding memories -- one T-shirt at a time

Written by Adrienne Mitchell, volunteer

On Tuesday, May 14, Deborah Strom was making dinner at her home in in Manassas, Virginia.

She was just about to call sons Eric, 15, and Ryan, 14, down to dinner when the smoke detector went off. There was a fire on the second floor.

Deborah called 911. Her husband, Ross, grabbed a garden hose and tried unsuccessfully to put out the flames.

Minutes later, they were standing in the driveway, watching as firefighters rolled out their hoses. One fell on his back as he ran backwards, battling to save their home.

They watched through the window, hearts breaking, as Eric’s pet -- a bearded dragon lizard -- died, trapped in its glass tank.

“The smoke was billowing everywhere,” says Deborah. After a while, “I had to step behind the fire trucks so I couldn’t watch,” she adds. 

By the time the flames were extinguished, Eric’s room was destroyed, and there was smoke and water damage throughout the second floor.

It’s a scene that’s repeated all too often. Every eight minutes in America, the Red Cross responds to a house fire.

Two Red Cross volunteers arrived at around nine o’clock that evening, about three hours after the fire broke out.

It was getting dark. A neighbor offered to let the Stroms meet with the volunteers in their home across the street.

They wouldn’t be able to spend the night in their own home, so the volunteers delivered toiletry bags and blankets, and asked if they needed help finding a place to stay.

They also talked about some things Deborah says she might not have thought of, like putting cable service on hold and arranging for the school bus to pick the kids up from a hotel.

It will be months before the Stroms are able to sleep in their own beds again. Now living in a hotel, they await the results of the fire investigation, and take stock of their losses.

One of the most precious things the fire took was Eric’s collection of old T-shirts. While not valuable financially, they’re irreplaceable because of the memories they hold.

A military family, the Stroms have moved three times in the past decade. The collection included one shirt from each of the schools Eric has attended and several more, a few dozen in all.

Deborah intended to make a memory quilt with them as she had done for her older son, Andrew. “It’s nice to have a large stack of them to pick out colors and designs,” she says.

She’s working on replacing them; some of the schools are sending new ones. And she’ll have one more to add to the collection -- a Red Cross T-shirt is on its way to the family.

It will join the replacement shirts in Eric’s quilt. It will be “kind of cool to put it in the quilt when I make it,” says Deborah. “It represents the T-shirts we lost,” she says.

As she works to move on from her loss, Deborah has this advice for people who may know someone affected by a house fire. “Everyone keeps asking what we need. But, living in a hotel, we don’t want a lot of stuff,” she says.

She suggests gift cards. They don’t take up a lot of space, and the family can use them to buy what they need.

Another welcome gift: an invitation to dinner, or a home-cooked meal like the one that one of her employees brought in to work for her. After weeks of eating in restaurants, Deborah says her family would really enjoy some home cooking.

“A year from now, she says, we’re all going to be fine, but the next few months are going to be difficult.” Until then, she says, she’s learning to accept help from people, and “take things one day at a time.”