Denver Dog Works Dog of the Week: Gina

By Michele Forto

Gina came into my life as a potential service dog candidate.  She was chosen by my husband and had many possibilities for a two and a half year old female German Shepherd dog.  When Robert brought her to our kennel we immediately introduced her to our dog Qyain.  Gina and Qyain were fast friends.  But we quickly realized that Gina did not like other female dogs.  Sadly we had to keep her separated from the other female Boudica.  

One day I arrived at work to find that the kennel technician had placed Gina in a kennel right next Boudica.  They were fence fighting uncontrollably.  I moved Boudica quickly and returned to calm Gina down a bit to discover that she had managed to catch her eye on the kennel.  I knew I had to act quickly or this could result in disaster for Gina.

`I utilized my Canine First Aid training by quickly assessing the situation and remaining calm.  Gina wasn’t moving but as I moved closer to her she would start pulling and since her skin was caught she couldn’t free herself.  I told her to sit and then to stay.  She did exactly what I told her to do.  She was crying very loudly and breathing hard.  As I moved in closer I was able to touch her head and she immediately got still.  While talking to her calmly I put my arms around her and gently lifted her up and was able to release her eyelid where it was stuck on the kennel latch.  I then carried her inside where I laid her down placed a blanket over her since I knew she was in shock and then proceeded to flush her eye with luke warm water making sure there was no debris inside.  I was also able to see that her eye was fine, bloodshot and bruised but not cut or punctured in anyway.  Her third eyelid was very bruised and swelling was beginning.  I placed an ice pack over her eye and carried her to my truck and the two of us proceeded to the vet’s office where it was determined that she would be just fine.  The vet said I had done a great job and wanted to know how I did everything.  I told him that I have been working with animals and dogs in particular for over 20 years and that I had taken several canine first aid and CPR courses over the years and that my husband and I teach a certification workshop. 

Gina did not need antibiotics and healed nicely in about a week.  She gave birth to two sweet females about nine months later.  Gina know competes in Schutzhund  and is living out her life with her pups in the mountains near Colorado Springs.

I share this story with you because I feel it is very important that every pet owner take a course in canine first aid and CPR. Just as I feel every parent should take the same course to save their child.  If you are active with your pet in any fashion or your pet just likes lying around the house, knowing first aid and canine CPR could save your pet’s life in an emergency situation.

If you would like to learn how to take my Canine CPR/First Aid course please contact me via my website at www.denverdogworks.com or become a fan of Denver Dog Works on Facebook and check out the events page for upcoming workshops.  The next Canine CPR/First Aid class is scheduled on  March 21, 2010 and is an all day event.

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Michele Forto is the business manager for Denver Dog Works and the co-host of the Dog Doctor Radio Show. Michele can be reached through her website at http://www.denverdogworks.com