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Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service trained in canine emergency care for police K9 unit

The Winnipeg Police Service and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) have completed a new training initiative: WFPS Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) paramedics, who provide pre-hospital medical care for the WPS Tactical Support Team (TST), are now fully trained to provide canine emergency pre-hospital medical care for the WPS K9 Unit.

The training was achieved through consultations with the Winnipeg Police Service, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, the WPS K9 Unit and Tactical Support Units, the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), Bridgwater Veterinary Hospital, and Pembina Veterinary Hospital.

“Although no one wishes for anything to happen, this initiative has created peace of mind for K9 Unit handlers to know that medical aid is close-by and available prior to, and enroute, to a veterinary care facility in the event a dog is injured,” the police service stated.

The Winnipeg Police K9 Unit would like to acknowledge the vision and dedication of WFPS members Ron Keelan (District Chief of Paramedics and TEMS Coordinator) and Anthony Tetrault (Advanced Care Paramedic and  TEMS member); the advice and guidance of WFPS Medical Director, Dr. Rob Grierson, WFPS Assistant Chief Ryan Sneath, Dr. Manjit Sra, and Dr. Erika Answeeuw; the staff at Bridgwater Veterinary Hospital (Crystal, Zoe, and Janice) for the canine medical training, and the numerous police and non-police K9s who served as patients during the K9 medical training.