Me & My Pet:  Emma Hammett

We speak with Emma Hammett the founder of First Aid for Pets about her passion for pet welfare and how an easy first aid course can save a pet’s life. She has been awarded a National Award as ‘Most Inspirational Trainer’, and the British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. 

What is First Aid for Dogs and how did it come about?

First Aid for Pets came about due to 14-year-old Gus, who came on one of our First Aid for Life teenage first aid courses. That afternoon he attended his cousin’s birthday party where their dog choked and collapsed unconscious. Gus, undaunted, picked up the pug and treated him for choking as he had learnt that morning on the course. On administering abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich Manoeuvre) the obstruction shot out and their dog, Euston, staggered to its feet.

What was the inspiration behind wanting to teach first aid to Dog Owners? 

Following Gus’s experience, we started working with Vets and pet experts researching the differences and similarities between dog and human First Aid. From this combined expertise we published First Aid for Dogs in 2016 and created our comprehensive practical and online dog first aid courses. First Aid for Dogs is mainstream in America and Australia with St John and the Red Cross routinely offering these courses. 

Our courses have proved incredibly popular and have featured in the Times in a double-page spread with Hannah Betts. Jeremy Paxman chose to join us to ensure he was skilled in helping his dog Derek and wrote about this in SAGA magazine, the Express and Mail. We have also been featured on Channel 4, ITV News and BBC Morning Live. First Aid for Pets has won numerous awards. 

What would you say is the common accident to happen to Dogs and their owners?

Choking is the most common serious medical emergency and we have saved many hundreds of precious pets through our choking information on YouTube, our websites and free online courses.

And in your opinion, what is the essential first aid skill every dog owner should know how to do?

Every dog owner should know how to examine their pet and understand what is normal for their pet, so they can swiftly spot if something is not right. Their pet should also be comfortable being examined and handled as this will make it far easier to help them in a medical emergency.  In terms of first aid specifically – choking is really important, as is accident prevention, treating bleeding, recognising poisoning and understanding heat exhaustion. There is honestly so much invaluable information, that it is really difficult to choose. Most parents do a first aid course when their baby is born – having a dog should carry the same responsibility.

What’s your favourite thing about teaching Dog owners about first aid? 

By far the most rewarding is reading the incredible feedback from grateful owners and dog businesses when they have saved a dog by using their dog first aid skills.

Do you have a dog yourself? What’s their name?

I have a beautiful big fluffy double doodle called Arlo

Where does your dog like to go on holiday?

Arlo loves the seaside and dashing in and out of the waves.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

We are extremely busy with www.FirstAidforLife.org.uk , www.onlinefirstaid.com and www.firstaidforpets.net. We are looking at creating more resources for cat owners and are continually adding to our helpful blogs, e-books and infographics.

 

First Aid for Pets is delighted to offer PetsPyjamas customers 20% off our First Aid for Dogs online course. Use the code: couponpetspyjamas20 or follow this link HERE