Orange County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit And IU Health Paoli Hospital EMS Team Up To Provide Aid To Animals In Need During Fire Emergencies

(PAOLI) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit presented IU Health Paoli Hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with pet resuscitation kits provided through a grant from Air For Paws.

Each kit contains specially designed oxygen masks constructed to properly fit animals ranging in size from hamsters to large dogs.

K-9 Finn, Deputy Ryan Smith, IU Health Paoli EMS Manager Trish Martinez

Deputy Ryan Smith familiarized EMS staff with the kits and general information on CPR for K-9’s. Although due to health regulations EMS can not transport animals or be called specifically to care for them, these kits will be a great resource for EMS providers at the scenes of house fires for example where a family pet may need supplemental oxygen.

“We are excited to receive these kits at no cost to us from the Air For Paws organization and appreciate IU Health Paoli EMS for being willing to put these kits on their ambulances throughout the county,” said Deputy Ryan Smith. “The sheriff’s department and IU Health Paoli EMS are proud to work together to offer this service to the community.”