Dog first aid training course
Dog first aid training course

Pet First Aid Courses (practical)

Our Pet First Aid course new for 2025 – now includes Cat first aid (if any cat lovers are present). 

The course is 3 hours and covers how to care for an unconscious dog and cat as well as commonly occurring injuries and illnesses including choking, bleeding, fitting, poisoning and much more. The course is run in small groups, with hands-on experience using our dog and cat mannequins to practise CPR, recovery position, choking, bandaging and other essential pet first aid techniques. While we will be focusing on first aid for dogs and cats you will be able to refer to first aid for other common household pets. 

If you work in the industry as a pet sitter, dog-walker or pet groomer, this is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in pet first aid to enhance your authority and encourage new and potential clients to feel confident trusting their pets to your care. All participants are awarded an Emergency First Aid for Pet’s Certificate, an accompanying first aid manual (now customised for cat or dog owners) and pet face shield.  Pet first aid kits are available to purchase on the day.

Please note that our venue is not set up for your pets to attend with you. If you would prefer to have your pet with you on the course, we recommend you organise a bespoke course with a group of friends at one of your homes and we would be delighted to come and teach with your pets present. If you would like to join us please choose one of the dates below.

The course will be held at one of our large training rooms within a short walk of Balham mainline and tube station – we will email you with the precise location prior to the course

This is an invaluable course and we really look forward to you joining us.

If you would like any further information please email us at emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk

For Topics Covered - click here

First Aid for Pets 3 hour Course Content

  • Action in an emergency and keeping yourself and your pet safe
    • Priorities of Treatment
    • How to muzzle a dog or cat
    • Helpful information
    • What to put in your First Aid kit
    • What the Vet needs to know
    • The Primary Survey – How to help in an Emergency
  • Unresponsive and Breathing
    • Recovery Position
  • Unconscious and not breathing
    • Resuscitation
  • Choking and drowning
  • Anaphylactic shock and acute allergic reaction
  • Wounds and bleeding
    • Embedded objects
    • Shock
    • Bite wounds
    • Eye injuries
    • Nose bleeds
    • How to bandage a wounded limb
  • Bites and Stings
  • Burns
  • Poisoning
  • Breaks, Sprains and Dislocations
    • Spinal Injuries
  • Head Injuries
  • Road Traffic accidents – how to help!
  • Fitting / Seizures / Convulsions
  • Extremes of body temperature
  • Summary and certificates
“My very precious little Jasper began to choke!!! It was on the last instruction of how to do the Heimlich manoeuvre on a dog that saved Jasper. I will forever be grateful to First Aid for Pets for walking me through the steps save Jasper!” 
Sandra

Course Outline

I thought the course was really useful and it has certainly given me confidence to deal with emergencies should they arrive.

David C

“I think it’s good to learn all kinds of CPR so that you can be prepared”
Ramona