VIDEO: Police officers and firefighters help people every day, but a Wisconsin group said they are not always equipped to help their K-9 partners.
"The K-9 handlers do train every month," said Lisa Converse with Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin. "They have many hours of training on the job – but not a lot of medical training."
The K-9 medic class teaches everything from basic wound care to what steps to take if a dog is shot or stabbed. Veterinarians from the Oshkosh-based group even give lessons on things like dog CPR and administering NARCAN.
"When a dog that’s trained in bite work or apprehension goes to get someone that is sought after by law enforcement, there’s going to be an interaction," said Lake Country Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Matthew Haerter.