EMS train for K-9 emergency treatment

FLORENCE – Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jaret Yancey and his K-9 officer Mateo have only been together for a few months, but the pair have already developed a solid bond and trust for one another.

So, when Yancey had the opportunity to participate in training exercises that could potentially save Mateo’s life, he jumped at the chance.

Yancey, Mateo and other K-9 officers and their handlers from throughout the tricounty area took part in the training on Dec. 16 at the Florence Police Department training center.

A state law sponsored by District 1 State Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Greenhill, that took effect Oct. 1 allows emergency medical services personnel to treat a K-9 injured in the line of duty, which was the focus of Tuesday’s training.

Yancey said the training featured a variety of scenarios the officers may encounter when it comes to treating their K-9 officers. This ranges from understanding the symptoms of heat strokes to treating wounds from gunshots or a stabbing.

“There’s a lot of similarities, but there’s also a lot of differences between working on humans and working on dogs,” Yancey said. “These are things we can use to keep them alive until paramedics or EMS gets there and do their part.”

Yancey said the new law brings a certain peace of mind when it comes to knowing his partner will be given the best possible treatment in the event a traumatic injury occurs.

He said understanding how to treat certain injuries or situations that would normally be life-threatening can go a long way to ensure Mateo remains healthy and on the job.

“Being able to get him where he needs to go and get him the treatment he needs in order to prevent his death is key,” Yancey said. “It gives me peace of mind knowing that if something does go wrong, we can get them stable and to the people who know how to treat them better.”

CONTRIBUTED/DAN BUSEY
Amanda Ellerbee, flight nurse for Survival Flight, uses a K-9 to explain a medical response during a simulated injury training scenario

While he and Mateo are both still “figuring each other out” in terms of operating on the job, Yancey said he knows his K-9 partner has his back and he wants to be able to reciprocate.

“He’s always there for me, and I know if I’m sideways in any type of situation he’s got me,” Yancey said. “He’s probably one of the most useful tools the sheriff’s office has. He’s a deputy and he works with us. He’s one of us and he’s part of our family.

Amanda Ellerbee, flight nurse for Survival Flight, provided detailed instructions while showing various areas of a K-9 as it stood on a table.

“Femoral pulses are right here and when they’re standing up you can feel it,” Ellerbee said at one point, as she felt an area on the top inside area of the dog’s left back leg. She later held an area on the front of the lower left front paw.

“Feel that vein? That’s where we’re going to do IV access,” Ellerbee said.

She said she is glad Alabama has the new law in an effort to make it easier to treat K-9s in emergency situations.

“They are incredible beings,” Ellerbee said. “They go out every day protecting their handlers, as well as their agencies and their communities.”

Bernie Delinski contributed to this report.