WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A new kind of lifesaving training for handlers of military working dogs took place March 23 at Wright-Patterson Medical Center through a simulation course created to prepare these Airmen for the field. 

Capt. Sarah Cudd, branch chief of the veterinary clinic, created this simulated training based on human simulation training she attended a few months ago. 

Being responsible for equipping Wright-Patterson Air Force Base military working dog handlers with canine lifesaving techniques, Cudd thought this type of training could be beneficial. 

"Handlers having basic lifesaving skills is super important -- even if it's just putting on a tourniquet or wrapping a wound," Cudd said. 

She said the dogs often deploy with their handlers to isolated areas that may not have a veterinary doctor available, only a physician trained to treat people. 

This challenge makes the handlers' basic medical skills essential to their canine partners. 

"We deploy handlers with certain kits that have everything they need, but half the time they don't know what's in the kit or what everything is. That's the disconnect, unfortunately," Cudd said. 

Through simulated training using an artificial dog, Cudd and specialist Trevor McCarson  covered how to manage a common condition called bloat, how to give intravenous (IV) fluids with an IV catheter, the proper way to cast, wrap and splint injured legs, and how to dress open wounds as well as transport the dog when finished administering aid. 
  
Until recently, canine lifesaving training was accomplished through PowerPoint presentations. 

"Although it (computer-based training) provides the knowledge, it doesn't give you the hands-on application," Cudd said.