For Immediate Release: August 14, 2003
Contact: Mark A. Cole • (859) 543-8585, x208 • mcole@usrider.org

USRider's Large Animal Rescue Video Deemed a Success

Many animals end up being dragged, strangled, drowned or dropped during attempted rescues because many emergency responders do not have the proper training for rescuing large animals safely.

USRider has sought to remedy this problem by producing a video to increase awareness of the need for correct rescue training among emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officials, horse associations and other related groups.

“Most emergency responders have extensive knowledge about rescuing humans but, due to no fault of their own, lack training in how to rescue large animals properly. When emergency responders are made aware of the need of large animal rescue skills, most are very receptive. We just need to create awareness,” explained Mark Cole, managing member for USRider.

The Large Animal Rescue video covers theory and demonstrations on how to respond to overturned trailers; animals in holes, pools or open sewers; barn fires; trailer wrecks; and animals loose on the highway, trapped in various places or hurt on the trail. The video uses simulated situations to demonstrate how to tie up, pull, strap and lift large animals.

USRider, a member-based organization providing trailering assistance throughout North America with its Equestrian Motor Plan, has widely distributed the new safety video. The initial announcement of the video earlier this year generated requests from 37 states. Since that time, more than 275 copies have been distributed at no cost to numerous organizations and individuals across the nation. Videos have also been sent to Canada, Germany and Argentina.

“We are extremely pleased by the quality of organizations that have requested the video thus far,” said Cole. “Special recognition should go to the Kentucky Horse Council, which took the initiative to make 120 copies of the video to distribute to each county in the state.”

Those requesting the video include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Horse Protection Association, horse councils, veterinarians, state departments of agriculture, animal welfare departments, humane societies, fire departments and EMTs, libraries, colleges, and riding clubs and associations.

“Many of these groups have really gone above and beyond the call of duty by hosting viewings for emergency responders or by making copies and actually handing them out to emergency responders,” said Cole. “Others have taken the initiative to reach a wide audience by playing the video on local cable television.”

The video features Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez from Clemson University, nationally recognized experts in large-animal rescue training. They have been offering emergency rescue training courses around the country for over five years. Several hundred firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and animal control technicians along with organized volunteers have attended their two- and three-day workshops. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez can be contacted via e-mail at tgmnz@clemson.edu or by telephone at (864) 656-5158.

The video was produced by Caren L. Hunter of Sylvan Inc., a television productions and commercial advertising firm. Hunter has served as a producer for television commercials, sales and marketing videos, industrial videos, half-hour format national television programs and live broadcast sports television. Hunter’s equine-related productions include Kilkenny Internationale Cup Grand Prix, Zada Enterprises Masters Cup Grand Prix, Cosequin U.S. Open Jumper Championship, USET Festival of Champions and USET Show Jumping Championship. Caren Hunter can be contacted via e-mail at chunter10@aol.com or by telephone at Sylvan Productions at (561) 758-6888.

“At USRider, we are truly pleased and fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such a high level of professionals in this endeavor,” said Cole. “We are hopeful this video will benefit the welfare and safety of horses and other large animals everywhere. It has been widely distributed, but we want to get this into the hands of as many emergency responders as possible. It is still available and we encourage interested organizations to request a copy,” said Cole.

To receive a free copy of the video, send a written request on letterhead to Attn: Large Animal Rescue Video, USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, P.O. Box 54711, Lexington, KY 40555. The request should indicate when the video will be viewed and the approximate number of people who will view it.

Funding for the creation and distribution of this video has been provided by the USRider Leg-Up Annual Giving Fund. This fund was created to enhance awareness of emergency equine response issues and to offer financial assistance to qualified, worthy organizations that provide emergency equine response. USRider donates a portion of its profits to create the Leg-Up Fund. For information about the USRider Leg-Up Annual Giving Fund or the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan’s nationwide trailering assistance program, please call 1-800-844-1409 or visit www.usrider.org.

NOTE: High-resolution images for this press release are available to download at the following link:

http://www.lexingtongraphics.com/usrider/disablement_art/

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