Eye on Oshkosh - K9 Handlers Medical Training, taped 1-4-2024

On the latest edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz talks with Lyn Schuh, one of the founders and operations director for the Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin.  This nonprofit is one of only a few such organizations in the country that trains K9 handlers in law enforcement, firefighting, EMS, the military, and anywhere else they might be, how to properly care for their K9 partner – whether it’s just routine basic healthcare or a situation where the dog is injured in the field training or on-the-job.

Most K9 handlers are never given training on how to care for their dogs; they’re only taught the things that the dog is taught. So this kind of training is essential to keeping their dogs healthy and as safe as possible, especially if they’re in the field and the dog is injured and needs veterinary treatment. Armed with this kind of knowledge, the handlers can provide initial medical care for their K9 partner in advance of getting him or her to a veterinary office or emergency veterinary hospital.