From our 2023 animal first-aid training archive.
In a classroom in Lviv, learning how to help an injured dog carried a very real purpose. The students, carers and handlers joining our sessions were living and working in a country at war. We had come to share skills they could use when an animal needed help, and to leave resources that could keep that learning going.
Our 2023 Australian Animal Aid training team brought together Nigel Allsopp, Alan Watson and Barrie Gerbich, drawing on their experience with military, police and other working dogs. We worked with local organisations to reach veterinary students, civilian carers and canine teams.
At Lviv Veterinary University, we worked with third-year veterinary students. Other sessions included civilian animal carers, search-and-rescue personnel and Border Force and military canine teams. Alan and Barrie delivered training during the day and in evening sessions so different groups could take part.
Our programme covered canine first aid and emergency-care topics relevant to the conditions participants faced. These included bandaging, canine CPR and recognising and responding to trauma. Practical demonstrations used training dogs and manikins so participants could observe and practise techniques. The aim was to help people provide immediate assistance until professional veterinary care could be reached.
We left animal first-aid teaching materials with local organisations, including manuals, presentation resources and training equipment. The equipment included a canine CPR manikin and a life-size training dog used for bandaging and handling practice.
We also provided further instruction to selected Pet Friendly staff so they could continue teaching locally. The CPR manikin was left with the Border Force’s training school to support future handler training. These were concrete steps towards making the visit useful beyond the sessions our own team delivered.
The local organisations, interpreters, students and handlers were central to the programme. They helped organise sessions and shared the realities of caring for animals during the conflict. Their involvement enabled us to adapt our experience to the work being done in Ukraine.
We are grateful to everyone who took part and helped make the training possible. By leaving equipment and teaching resources with local organisations, we aimed to support people who would still be there, caring for animals and teaching others, long after our team returned home.
Read the 2023 Ukraine report — animal first-aid training
Historical account of our training and equipment support in 2023. PDF · page 11.
ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT
Choose from two Ukraine animal pins, with purchases supporting AWAMO’s work in Ukraine and beyond.
$10
A dog and cat design in Ukraine’s colours, supporting AWAMO’s charitable work.
$20
A numbered limited-edition dog and cat pin, supporting AWAMO’s charitable work.
Help animals affected by war. Visit our Ukraine appeal to learn more and make a donation.
