I wanted to say thank you so much for such a wonderful course. I had such a great time tonight in DOGSAFE Part 2 and feel much more confident in my canine first aid abilities. Tracy DiLalla, Bark in the Park, DOGSAFE Graduate, October 17, 2009

Once again thank you so much for all your wisdom. The course was absolutely fantastic!!! Organized, well executed and delivered in an easy to understand manner. Your attention to detail and professionalism are second to none. I will definitely recommend the DOGSAFE courses to everyone I know!!! Freddy Kramm, DOGSAFE Graduate, October 17, 2009

Once again great job yesterday! I found the DOGSAFE Part 2 Workshop very helpful to feel what it is like to actually restrain my own dog and try to do the bandages and get a real feel without the adrenaline. The hands-on experience in the workshop makes all the DOGSAFE Part 1 theory sink in better.  Also, thanks for letting us try the equipment, it gave us a very good idea of what essential equipment we need to be safe (and hopefully we never use it)! Thanks so much on behalf of the boneheads :)  Rosa Diaz, Boneheads Pet Services, DOGSAFE Graduate, August 9, 2009

We would like to thank you for such an informative and interesting course, we will definitely encourage others to attend the DOGSAFE courses. We (attempted) the head to tail assessment with our cats, but alas, they are not nearly as cooperative as Monty! And thank you for your generous donation to Richmond Animal Protection Society! Jim & Audrey Goodwin, RAPS Volunteers, DOGSAFE Graduates, August 9, 2009

On behalf of the Vancouver Island Firefighters Association, we would like to thank you for the training on canine first aid. I have received very positive feedback on the DOGSAFE™for Firefighters seminar you taught. I have been told by our members that they would like to take more of this training. I know as a dog owner, I also learned a lot from you. Thank you. Ron Beck, Vice President, Vancouver Island Firefighters Association, April 6, 2009

Thanks for a great course and much insight into keeping dogs healthy. Ted Kerasote, author of Merle's Door, DOGSAFE Graduate, Feb 28, 2009

Just a short note to tell you how much I appreciated the DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid course this past weekend. This is an incredibly comprehensive program and I came away with not only a wealth of practical information but, just as importantly, peace of mind knowing the steps to take should I ever need to apply canine first aid. I think it should be required education for every caring dog owner. Thank you again. Mary Lou Gazeley, DOGSAFE Graduate, September 27, 2008

Thanks for the fantastic canine first aid course this weekend. I will definitely be recommending it to other dog owners. I feel so much more confident should anything come up with my dogs or other peoples' dogs. Sarah Ronald, DOGSAFE Graduate, September 27, 2008

I had to use first aid on my dog, Kecy, when she cut her paws (both front) on a walk recently.  She dove into some snow to get her ball and there must have been something sharp under there.  I was calm, cool and collected and knew exactly what to do. Kecy didn't even notice she'd been cut and wanted to keep on playing!  We survived the ordeal without a trip to the vet, so I was very thankful for the knowledge and confidence the DOGSAFE™course gave me! Eileen Kennedy, Kecy & Kompany Dog Walking Service, DOGSAFE Graduate August 16, 2008

I was really impressed with the DOGSAFE™course and I have told many friends about it. Thanks again for a great day. Denise Beeder, Animal Services Officer, City of New Westminster, DOGSAFE Graduate, July 26, 2008

I wanted to let you know that the DOGSAFE™course came in handy for the first time a week ago.  My puppy took a little tumble last week and landed on his neck and shoulder. He accumulated a limp and was not walking on his front paw which I was concerned about. But I checked all the muscles and joints in his neck and shoulder and didn't find any specific spots that were especially tender for him. So I decided to wait a day before contacting a vet since my assessment told me he was fine. Low and behold, the next day he was his same old self and there has been no further problems, so thanks again! James Grass, DOGSAFE Graduate, June 7, 2008

Andrew and I wanted to send you a great big THANK YOU.  Last week, our little guy, Tiger, was in grave shape and had it not been for the information in the DOGSAFE™course, we may not have recognized the signs and urgency of his deterioration. We fully believe that what we learned in the DOGSAFE™class played a MAJOR part in saving Tiger's life. Tamara G. Wiebe, DOGSAFE Graduate, June 21, 2008

The DOGSAFE™course was great. I registered to refresh my previous canine first aid training and I learned some very interesting and important new points. Michelle is a great teacher and she keeps the learning interesting and fun. I will definitely recommend the DOGSAFE course to friends, family and clients! Natasha Leuvekamp, Outward Hound Canine Care, DOGSAFE Graduate, April 27, 2008

I had to use my canine first aid knowledge with my dog, Sawyer, last week.  He was doing some high jumps and flipped over and landed on his back.  He really did a number and was lying there stiff, shaking and appeared in a lot of pain. I took his pulse and checked his capillary refill. He just layed there for about ten minutes and then got up on his own.  We took him to the vet and I was able to communicate what happened in a very clear manner.  Staying calm was the big one!  He is fine now but the canine first aid knowledge really helped me deal with a scary situation.  Thank you! Sarah Rose, DOGSAFE Graduate, February 3, 2008

Hi Michelle,   Thank you for the excellent DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid course last Sunday. As a dog walker and dog sitter, I am now much more confident when I am solely responsible for others loved ones. I can't say enough about what a valuable experience your course was and your method of teaching and communication was refreshing. UPDATE (14 days after graduating the DOGSAFE™ PART 2 course): Michelle, our dog, Tanner, has been quite ill. After a few days at the vets, he's back at home and doing better, but with no diagnosis. He's on a special diet, small meals, lots of bathroom breaks and hasn't vomited since Friday night. He's drinking on his own, his energy level is up, and he has started begging for food again, so I think he's getting better. It's so frustrating not knowing what's wrong! I really have to thank you again for the DOGSAFE™course, it really helped me remain calm, even when "my baby" was so violently ill. I was hoping I wouldn't have to use my canine first aid training so soon but was immensely glad I could respond in this situation. I monitored his breathing, pulse, and temperature throughout the night and knowing his vital signs were consistently within normal range reassured me and saved us an emergency trip to the vet, so the course has already paid for itself!  Thank you, thank you again. Darcie Schuurmans, Soul Dog Pet Services, DOGSAFE Graduate Feb 3, 2008

What an amazing course on Sunday! Thank you very much for caring so much about our four legged friends and putting the DOGSAFE™ courses together. I learned tons and I am sure I will be putting it to use some time in the future...... although, hopefully not too much! I will definitely recommend the DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid course to as many dog lovers as I can as I know they will love it! Thanks again, Joseph Peterson, Poochike Adventures, DOGSAFE Graduate, Feb 3, 2008

Thank you so much for a great course yesterday. I learned so much. And although I bought an extra DOGSAFE™manual for a Christmas gift, I've decided to keep both manuals for myself -- one for home and one for the car. You can't be too prepared! I'll be recommending the course to new dog owners and volunteers at the Vancouver Animal Shelter. My pittie boy Brando is proving to be surprisingly good about being wrapped up in bandages. Go figure. Thanks again! Alexa R. Deans, Vancouver Animal Shelter, DOGSAFE Graduate, November 2, 2007

Hi Michelle, I wanted to give you some very positive feedback about the DOGSAFE™course since I feel that this course is every much as vital as a human first aid course. We love our dogs like family, so it only makes sense that we educate ourselves as much as we can about their safety. I found the course material easy-to-understand and honestly, I got more out of the DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid course than any human first aid course I ever took! The canine manikins for the artificial and CPR practice were a great learning tool and the length of the class seemed just right to show us a multitude of techniques, scenarios and tips. I found the DOGSAFE™manual to be very user-friendly and to-the-point and our family is keeping it in a place where we have quick and easy access to it. I now feel a sense of responsibility and confidence after taking the DOGSAFE™course, knowing that I have the knowledge to help out my canine friends if the need should ever arise. I wish I had taken this course sooner! PS - Both of my dogs have pulses!!! LOL  Joan Belitsky, DOGSAFE Graduate, Sept 30, 2007

I would like to express my thanks for the DOGSAFE™course on Saturday. It was most informative. I enjoyed the teaching techniques you used in order for your students to participate and therefore learn and remember the first aid skills. Although I am not a big fan of performing in front of an audience, I am glad that I did the scenario part of the course. I am also glad that you portrayed the "freaked out" dog owner as not only does it make the situation more real, but you have reminded me that this type of dog owner reaction does happen. As a result, I came away with a good sense about and thus I feel more confident about administering canine first aid in the future if need be. Moreover, I love your manual, it is succint! Catherine, DOGSAFE Graduate, July 28, 2007

Michelle, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid Course. I think I got more out of your presentation than any other first aid course I've ever attended.... and it has already helped, even with my cat! I took my cat in to the vet today for his vaccinations and shortly after we returned home he started throwing up everywhere; acting very distressed and pacing. I looked up and he started having some kind of seizure. Guess what? I KNEW what to do. Thank you SO much! Charlene Davies, DOGSAFE Graduate, April 15, 2007

I want to thank you for creating and instructing the DOGSAFE™canine first aid course! It is something that is long overdue for dog owners. The workshop was the most involving and enjoyable first aid course I have taken. I appreciated your excellent presentation skills and how well you related to the class. It was evident that you took extra care in the planning process to consider the needs of your students and offered different ways of learning the content, both theoretical and practical. You kept us involved and the day went very quickly! The thorough manual will be a handy tool for the future. Donna Hill, B.Sc.B.Ed, Owner, Games with Dogs, DOGSAFE Graduate March 18, 2007

I take great pride in Hosting the DOGSAFE™course here on Vancouver Island. Michelle presents a very informative and fun day for dog owners and the positive feedback from the students is tremendous. Taking this course myself has strengthened my relationship with my clients and increased my confidence when working with their dogs. The Hosting opportunity has also brought me many new training clients! We owe it to our pets to do all that we can for them in any situation, as they would do the same for us. Robyn Andexser, Owner, Best Paw Forward Dog Training

Thank you so much for the informative DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid course you gave us last Sunday, I really enjoyed it! I was proud to show my certificate to my students! Monique Charbonnier, CPDT, Gentle Puppy Training, DOGSAFE Graduate Nov 12, 2006

As a veterinarian and a director of the Pender Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), I was very impressed with the presentation by Michelle at our recent community-education event.  Michelle used an artificial patient (similar to an Annie Doll used for human CPR) to demonstrate how to provide acute care to an injured animal in an emergency situation. Her information was clearly and accurately presented, including essential points regarding safety for the pet and the humans who are helping.  She was also entertaining and interactive, especially involving the kids in the audience.  We very much appreciated her generous time and energy, and everyone came away more knowledgeable and prepared to assess and assist injured animals in the future. Dr Maureen Stone, DVM, PAWS Day, Sept 30, 2006

Hi Michelle, I just wanted to send you another note of “Thanks” for putting on the DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid course. I really felt that I received a lot of useful and practical information. Having this knowledge has definitely given me a confidence boost! I encourage anyone to take the DOGSAFE™course. Anne-Marie Baker, DOGSAFE Graduate Nov 12, 2006

I enjoyed the course so much and I am now more confident in dealing with emergency situations. The DOGSAFE™course was great, thanks again! Angela Du, K9 Act Dog Training, DOGSAFE Graduate, Nov 12, 2006

Thank you for your wonderful DOGSAFE™Canine First Aid seminar last Sunday. Everyone I spoke with has given lots of positive feedback. I would like to get 3 more copies of your DOGSAFE™book so I may include them in my Christmas gifts to my trainers. Thanks again. Roxanne Ziefflie, Owner, Paws Ahead K9 Sports Centre & Dog Daycare

Skill to do comes of doing.
 - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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