Hartpury University is excited to announce the launch of its new Small Animal First Aid Course, designed specifically with professionals in mind.
This one-day, Level 4 (university-level) course, will commence this summer, and is aimed at equipping a wide spectrum of pet care professionals, trainers, and owners with the essential skills to respond effectively to medical emergencies involving small animals.
The course is ideal for hydrotherapists, dog walkers, groomers, pet sitters, and those involved in competitive sports such as dog agility and canicross. It is endorsed by the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) and the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA), ensuring it meets the high standards required by industry professionals.
Participants will receive hands-on training from experienced instructors, focusing on real-life, emergency scenarios such as poisoning, choking, drowning, heatstroke, and seizures. The course content includes:
- Introduction to first aid for small animals
- Basic first aid principles
- Common emergencies and how to handle them
- CPR for small animals
- First aid kit essentials
- Health checks and monitoring
- Preventative care
- Practical sessions with model animals and live dogs
The course will be held at Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s rural campus, home to specialist animal science laboratories, digital innovation farm and Veterinary Nursing Technical Skills Centre. These impressive facilities allow students on part- and full-time courses to apply theory to practice and gain valuable real-life experience.
The cost of the course is £70 per person, and participants will be assessed through a multiple-choice test and practical demonstrations of their first aid skills.
Dr Wanda McCormick, Head of Animal and Agriculture at Hartpury University said: “We work with professionals across the animal sector, from dog trainers to hydrotherapists. From speaking with them firsthand, we know that undertaking a course like this will give them the confidence to handle emergency situations effectively. It also provides peace of mind to pet owners, reassuring them that their animals are in safe and capable hands.”
For more information and to book your place, click here.
Hartpury University’s animal degrees are varied, with undergraduate and postgraduate options in areas of human-animal interaction, welfare, zoology, and conservation.
