VIDEOS: A training deadline is quickly approaching for EMTs in Massachusetts to be prepped on caring for police dogs — and it's all hands on deck to get all of them up to speed.
Nero's Law allows emergency crews to treat and transport police dogs if they are hurt in the line of duty, and also requires them to complete three hours of education on the basics of animal care.
Those trainings are ongoing ahead of the February deadline, which had previously been pushed back a year.
One of these trainings was held for members of the Westwood Fire Department on Tuesday, with first responders learning everything from CPR to treating wounds.
"The importance of this law is to get some basic CPR, some basic oxygen support to them and be able to transport them in the rigs, so that they have the ability to keep them stable until they get to where they need to go," veterinarian Dr. Sandy Higgins said, who was helping to instruct Tuesday's course.