People are willing to go to great lengths to rescue their animals and do not always make the best decisions in stressful emergency situations, retired police officer Aline Nault can attest. The Monts et Vallons à cheval equestrian club president is proud of her members' dedicated year-long fundraising campaigns that resulted in bringing Equine Guelph’s Large Animal Emergency Rescue training workshop to Quebec for the first time. 
 
The Fairgrounds at Coteau-du-lac was a hub of activity on the first two days of October 2022, with participants coming together from far and wide to receive specialized training. This intensive hands-on workshop included “real-life” scenarios including a mud rescue, horse and rider rescue, cast horse plus several different ways to perform drags, lifts and assists. Now 30 first responders including two veterinarians, two local club patrollers and fire fighters from eight different fire departments have an increased level of knowledge when it comes to animal welfare and proper training for emergency rescue of large animals.

When any disaster strikes, an “incident involving animals” can quickly become an “incident involving people who are trying to save the animals.”  This training also allowed spectators, which comprised of many horse owners learning important prevention measures and how to make good decisions in the event of an emergency.
 
Presented by Equine Guelph, the large animal rescue course covered many topics including animal behaviour in stressful situations and how to keep handlers and first responders safe. Best practices for large animal technical rescue, fire prevention plus personal safety and related animal behaviour and care issues were all important topics discussed.
 
First responders received important training in normal animal behaviour and what to expect when that animal becomes stressed in order to proceed in a manner that keeps everyone safe from harm. Basic handling included how to approach livestock and where the blind zones and kick zones are located. How to create and secure an emergency halter and then restrain and lead the animal to a safe containment area were also practiced.
 
“We feel strongly that this training is of benefit for all fire departments to help their communities and we were pleased to bring this training to Quebec for the first time," said Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph.
 
JS Lavoie volunteered his big machinery equipment for the course and was kept very busy digging holes for the rescue scenarios. Capron Trucking Inc. brought a livestock hauler. Both took part in class presentations explaining the capabilities of their equipment and safety aspects of hauling animals.
 
“All large animal incidents, regardless of cause or scope, present a risk of injury to responders,” said course facilitator Dr. Susan Raymond. “Through proper training and the use of specialized rescue equipment, we significantly mitigate these risks and improve the odds of a favourable outcome for both animals and responders. By keeping responders safe, we improve our capacity to keep animals safe.”
 
Knowledge, practice and application were the goals attained over the two-day course. After learning about the incident command system and the equipment they would be using, participants worked through rescue simulations. Safe attachment methods for straps and support were explained by lead instructor Victor MacPherson, Equine Guelph and Farm & Food Care Ontario emergency response training, and the assistant instructors.

“Together we can make a difference,” said Nault. “Cost-wise for a city, if a rescue lasts four hours instead of 12, we all win and if our firefighters don’t hurt themselves, it is also a win. If our loved four-legged friends come out of a rescue safely…jackpot!”
 
Information on Equine Guelph's next course offering will be available on TheHorsePortal.ca. If you are interested in hosting a Large Animal Emergency Rescue training workshop, contact Susan Raymond at [email protected].

(With files from Equine Guelph)