Pet First Aid and CPR Classes
Learn how to keep your pet safe in an emergency. Our pet first aid classes are taught by a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor. Class details are being finalized. Contact us to learn more and to be first to know when booking opens.
What to Expect
Certified Instructor
Taught by our owner Jason Hofmann, a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor who works with pets every day.
In-Person Classes
Hands-on learning that helps you stay calm and act quickly if your pet ever needs help. Class details coming soon.
Virtual Option Coming Soon
A virtual class option is on the way. Reach out and we will let you know the moment it is available.
Want to Be Notified?
Class offerings are being finalized. Contact us for current details and to be first in line when classes open for booking.
Why Pet First Aid Is Worth Your Time
Almost every pet emergency starts at home. A dog gets into something in the trash. A cat stops breathing right after a fall. A puppy chews through a cord. In that moment there is no vet in the room. There is only you.
From most of Fairfield County, the drive to a twenty four hour emergency animal hospital is fifteen to thirty minutes depending on traffic. That is a long time when an animal is choking or bleeding. What you do before you get in the car often matters more than anything that happens after.
The good news is that this is learnable. Pet first aid is not complicated medicine. It is a small set of clear steps that you practice until you can do them without thinking, so that when the day comes you are not standing frozen in your kitchen googling what to do.
Emergencies Pet Owners Run Into Most
These are the situations we hear about again and again from local pet families.
Choking
A ball, a bone, a chunk of toy. Dogs swallow things fast. Knowing how to look, when to reach in, and when not to is the whole game.
Heat Emergencies
Connecticut summers get humid. Dogs overheat faster than people expect, especially flat faced breeds and heavy coated dogs.
Cuts and Bleeding
Torn pads from ice melt or broken glass are common. Controlling bleeding and protecting the wound for the drive is a basic skill.
Poisoning
Chocolate, grapes, xylitol, rodent bait, certain houseplants. What matters is knowing what is dangerous and who to call immediately.
Seizures
Frightening to watch and easy to make worse by grabbing at your pet. There is a right way to keep them safe and time what is happening.
Cold Weather Trouble
Frostbite on ears and paws, and salt burns on pads. Winter here does real damage to pets who are out too long.
This information is general and is not veterinary advice. In any emergency, call your veterinarian or your nearest emergency animal hospital right away.
Start With a Pet First Aid Kit
You do not have to wait for a class to be better prepared. Put a kit together this week.
Gauze, Vet Wrap, and Tape
For controlling bleeding and covering a wound long enough to get to the vet. Vet wrap sticks to itself and not to fur.
Your Vet and ER Numbers
Written down, not just in your phone. Include the nearest twenty four hour emergency animal hospital and the ASPCA poison control line.
A Muzzle or a Soft Strip of Cloth
A pet in pain may bite the person they love most. It is not personal. Protect yourself so you can help them.
A Copy of Medical Records
Vaccination dates, current medications, known allergies, and your pet weight. An ER vet will ask for all of it.
Every 203 Pet Service caregiver works under an owner who is a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor. If you would rather have a trained professional in your home while you are away, take a look at our pet care services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who teaches the pet first aid classes?
Classes are taught by our owner Jason Hofmann, a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor. You learn from someone who works with pets every day.
What will I learn?
Pet first aid classes cover the essentials that help you stay calm and act quickly in an emergency with your pet. Full class details are coming soon.
Is there an online option?
A virtual class option is coming soon. If you are interested, reach out and we will let you know as soon as it is available.
How do I sign up or learn more?
Class offerings are being finalized. Contact us for current details and to be first to know when classes open for booking.
Do I need to bring my pet to the class?
Class format details are still being finalized. Contact us and we will tell you exactly what to expect before you sign up.
Is pet first aid really worth learning?
Most pet emergencies happen at home, and the drive to an emergency vet can take twenty minutes or more. What you do in those first minutes matters. Knowing how to control bleeding, recognize choking, or handle a heat emergency can change the outcome.
Does pet first aid replace a trip to the vet?
No, and it is not meant to. First aid keeps your pet stable and safe until a veterinarian can take over. Always call your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital.
Is this useful for cat owners too?
Yes. Cats have their own emergencies and their own handling challenges. A frightened, hurt cat behaves very differently from a frightened dog.
Would this help a professional pet sitter or dog walker?
Very much so. Anyone who is responsible for someone else animals should know this material. Reach out if you are asking on behalf of a business or a group.
Where would classes be held?
We serve eastern Fairfield County, including Fairfield, Southport, Black Rock, Westport, Easton, Weston, Stratford, Trumbull, Shelton, and Bridgeport. Location details will be announced with the class schedule.
Questions About Classes?
22 years of trusted pet care in Fairfield County. Reach out and we will keep you posted as classes become available.