Los Angeles Animal Advocate Helps Maryland Girl Aid the Animals

This isn't exactly local but it's cool:

Los Angeles Animal Care instructor Denise Fleck will be helping out a Maryland girl scout get her Girls Scout Gold Award.

Fleck offered to come to Maryland after being contacted by 15-year-old local resident Laura Durner, who recalls a time recently "when one of my dogs was choking and I didn't know what to do. Thankfully she was okay, but right then I knew I needed to learn how to help. That evening I was watching Animal Planet, and I saw Denise Fleck teaching Pet First-Aid. Not only did I find what she said interesting, but I realized it would be a great project for my Girl Scout Gold Award®. I now realize these skills are something every responsible pet owner should learn."

The Girl Scout Gold Award® is the highest award a Girl Scout ages 14-18 may earn. It has been described as being what you really want to be remembered for in Girl Scouting. For many, the leadership skills, organizational skills, and sense of community and commitment that come from "going for the Gold" set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. Last year, approximately 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts received this Award.

Most recently, Fleck appeared on Animal Planet's hit show, Groomer Has It, where she demonstrated these life-saving techniques. A former film studio publicist, Fleck began teaching Pet First Aid & CPR ten years ago after her Yellow Labrador, Sunny, ruptured discs in her spine and became immobile. The story has a happy ending with the canine recovering after surgery.

"Sunny's misfortune," Denise explains, "compelled me to learn whatever I could in case I ever again should face a difficult situation with a dog or other animal. By training with seven national organizations, attending seminars, rescue work and disaster preparedness training, I've encountered situations that continue to test and improve my skills." Denise is a guest speaker at various venues and a freelance writer for Dog Fancy, Dogs USA, Dogs For Kids, Paw Print and Dog Days in L.A. magazines. She has developed her own 60-item Pet First-Aid Kit and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs.

For this special Pet First-Aid & CPR Class, Denise Fleck is waiving class fees for the Maryland and Washington D.C. communities, although handbooks and Pet First-Aid Kits will be available for purchase.

Topics to be covered include:
Muzzling and Safe Approach of an injured or ill animal
How to Find Your Pet's Pulse, Respiration, Capillary Refill Time
Rescue Breathing & CPR
Bandaging & Splinting Techniques
What to do for: Bloat, Burns, Choking, Constipation, Diarrhea, Drowning, Electric Shock, Frostbite, Heat Stroke, Poisoning and Seizures
How to handle Snake Bites, Bee Stings, and Tick Removal
How to Administer Medications & use the items in your Pet First-Aid Kit
The importance of developing a GOOD RELATIONSHIP with your VETERINARIAN
How to take a more active role in your dog's or cat's health and care
Ten situations that require IMMEDIATE veterinary care
Introduction to Disaster Preparedness and a whole lot more!

For more information on southland classes click here.