Coming Soon: Pet CPR & First Aid Classes!

Here in the valley, we aren't always close to veterinary care, which is why knowledge of how to treat your pet's injuries is essential. In many situations, every second can count, and pet CPR & first aid can be the difference between a positive outcome and a negative one. That's where SLV Pet Care comes in - Julie Reisinger, our Owner/Operator, has recently become certified to instruct these classes through Pet Emergency Education!

Instructor Background and Qualifications:

Julie Reisinger is a Southern Colorado based vet tech, dog trainer, and pet sitter. Like many kids, she always knew that she wanted to work with animals, and became a credentialed veterinary technician in 2010 after graduating from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology. While working at University of Colorado Anschutz, she honed her veterinary and teaching skills by training veterinary and human medical professionals from around the world, and was invited to speak at several local and national conferences, including the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators, Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians, and the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. After relocating to the beautiful San Luis Valley in 2019, Julie noticed that there was a need for professional pet care, and created San Luis Valley Pet Care. Realizing that living in such a remote place requires some driving to reach emergency care, and that every minute counts, she wanted to give the people of the SLV the opportunity to provide their pets with essential CPR and first aid while en route to the veterinarian, and that is when Julie made the decision to become a Certified Pet CPR & First Aid instructor.

Basic Information About Classes:

• The class is approximately three hours long, and costs $74.95

• No pets are allowed in class, but dog and cat models will be used for demonstration and practice

• Once a class is announced, you can register through the Pet Emergency Education website

• Your registration will include the following:

  • 3 hour instructor lead training with lecture and hands-on components

  • Official Frameable Certificate (valid for 2 years)

  • Two-year membership to Pet Emergency Education's online Animal Emergency Resource Center

  • Complimentary eBook reference guide *Optional printed manual available for $24.95

Where Will Classes Be Held?

While some may be held at our facility just outside of Alamosa, classes can be held at any location in the SLV that has power and the capacity to hold the instructor and a minimum of five attendees. Host locations will also receive one free registration to the class once eight people are signed up! Businesses, organizations, and groups may request a customized lobby certificate and window decal to recognize their team’s certification. If your business or organization would like to host a class, please contact us at slvpetcare@gmail.com or at 719-480-0199.

Fundraisers and Private Options

Want to support a good cause? We can schedule a fundraiser class for registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations! There are a few guidelines, such as a minimum of 10 registered participants, and the class must be available to the public. Contact us directly for more details on this exciting opportunity!

Private classes (not open to public registration) are also available for any organizations, businesses, or other groups. There is no additional fee, but there is a minimum number of registrants required. When hosting a private class, the host will receive one free registration for every eight people that sign up.

When Will The First Class Be?

We are currently working on scheduling the first class, and will make announcements through our website blog, training calendar, Facebook, and Instagram. Be sure to follow or subscribe to get the latest updates!

Please Note: Pet CPR & First Aid is not a replacement for veterinary care! Please contact your veterinarian for all emergencies and urgent situations, and schedule an appointment for follow up on less urgent injuries/illnesses. Don't forget to check out other Pet Safety tips on our blog to help prevent accidents!