Pictured above: Visiting police officers from Abilene, Texas, bandage a canine manikin based on a case scenario that involved multiple traumatic injuries.

OSU provides Veterinary Training for Police Dog Handlers

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Dr. Lara Sypniewski with Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences and Dr. Rachel Burke from Tulsa Animal Emergency Center, recently spent a day in Midland, Texas, working with police dog handlers on the best way to care for their canine partners.

“The goal of this training is to increase awareness of common injuries and diseases in working dogs and promote best practices in pre-hospital care for canine officers,” explained Sypniewski, the Henthorne Clinical Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the Center’s Veterinary Medical Hospital.

Approximately 15 police officers and drug enforcement administration agents attended the 8 hour program. Drs. Sypniewski and Burke provided lectures on:

Introduction to pre-hospital care
Basic anatomy and physiology
Basic life support
Heatstroke
Hemorrhage
Narcotic, toxin ingestion
Acute respiratory distress
Tension pneumothorax
Gastric dilation and volvulus
Penetrating injury

Attendees also spent time participating in multiple hands-on case scenario labs using manikins that covered these topics:

Basic life support
Bandaging techniques
Splinting techniques
Narcan administration

“I think the officers found the training to be very informative and applicable to maintain the health of their operational canine,” continued Sypniewski. “In addition, I know they had a lot of fun working in teams on case scenarios created to prepare them for real life injuries. They really loved the bandaging lab!”

The Midland Police Department training was made possible through the Henthorne Foundation that funds Sypniewski’s chair. If you would like more information on canine handler training, please contact Dr. Lara Sypniewski at OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, 405-744-7000, ext. 1.