Calif. college sees need for large-animal emergency training

Davis, Calif.

-- Earthquakes and fires happen often enough in the state that the University of California, Davis is developing a program to offer large-animal emergency response training.

To help large-animal emergency handling go more smoothly, the International Animal Welfare Training Institute (IAWTI) at UC-Davis will model its emergency response training program is modeled after a similar model started by a Santa Cruz County fire department. The school hopes the training system will eventually be adopted nationwide.

The college plans to train 55 students, veterinary or non-veterinary, this year, and IAWTI director Dr. John Madigan says he hopes the students trained this year will go instruct others about the methods they learn. Program activities will include the development of a new cattle sling, using sedatives in emergencies, how to safely approach large animals and how to use rescue equipment.

UC-Davis already has a Large Animal Rescue Team in place, comprised of highly trained faculty, residents and staff from the school's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. The group specializes only in the rescue of large animals and can be called upon at the school for assistance.