December 06, 2011

USRider, EKU offer large-animal rescue training

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec.06, 2011) – First responders, emergency medical technicians, veterinarians, firefighters, and other emergency/rescue personnel are encouraged to register for one of the best annual training opportunities in the U.S. – the Technical Large-Animal Emergency Rescue Training provided cooperatively by USRider and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).

USRider and EKU first began offering this valuable training opportunity in March 2005 to educate fire/rescue personnel, first responders, veterinarians and horse enthusiasts about techniques and procedures to assist large animals involved in transportation accidents and other emergencies.

USRider offers a nationwide roadside assistance program designed especially for equestrians. Since its establishment in January 2002, the company has endeavored to raise awareness of the need for training in large-animal emergency rescue.

“We’ve found that while emergency responders are trained experts in human rescue and extrication, they often times have no training in large-animal rescue,” said Bill Riss, General Manager for USRider. “Because of this lack of training, responders are put at great risk. Moreover, in many accidents and disasters, animals without life-threatening injuries are injured further or even killed by use of incorrect rescue techniques.”

Scheduled for March 30- April 1, 2012, the Large-Animal Emergency Rescue Training is open to EKU students and the general public. Taught by Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez, experts in large-animal rescue, the session will include 30 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training with live animals.

Instruction covers the use of sedatives and tranquilizers, chemical restraint, rescue ropes and knots, rescue from barn fires, mud rescue, helicopter rescue and water rescue, among other situations. Specially- trained demonstration animals will be brought in to help provide realistic hands-on training during the seminars. The training qualifies each student to receive FSE 489 credit for the class. Space is limited for the public, so those interested in attending are encouraged to enroll now by contacting Demita Kubala at EKU at (859) 622-1051 or demita.kubala@eku.edu

The Large-Animal Emergency Rescue Training is funded through the Large-Animal Rescue Endowment Fund, administered by USRider. Through its Leg-Up Fund, USRider has provided assistance for numerous large-animal rescue initiatives, including equine ambulances and individual responder training. In 2005, the company took its efforts in a new direction by creating the first Large-Animal Rescue Endowment Fund at Eastern Kentucky University. The unique endowment fund was established to promote large-animal rescue training efforts and support related training programs.

Contributions to the Large-Animal Rescue Endowment Fund may be sent to the Division of University Development, CPO 19A, Jones 324, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, Ky., 40475-3102. The Development Office may be reached at (859) 622-1583.

USRider Equestrian Motor Plan is a nationwide member-based organization providing roadside trailering assistance, including towing and roadside repairs for tow vehicles and trailers with horses, emergency stabling, veterinary referrals and more. For more information, visit http://www.usrider.org. or call (800) 844-1409.