The Animals for Life Foundation provided a grant for more than 150 first responders to be trained on the proper handling of large animals in time of crisis.
Animal Agriculture 202 was conducted by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Ohio State University Extension. It included a series of eight presentations on the proper ways to plan for and respond to farm animal accidents and how to effectively interact with those animals.
The workshop drew a crowd that included emergency response personnel, law enforcement, veterinarians and technicians, firemen and humane society officials.
Those attending received guidelines to protect humans during a crisis, while providing the best care for the animals.
Presentations covered human safety precautions to use while handling large animals, how to respond to roadway accidents involving livestock, the importance of handling animals and humans properly in times of distress, dealing with animal euthanasia, handling escaped animals and the importance of pre-planning for farm animal incidents.
“We are here to strengthen the connection between animals and humans. Many first responders are familiar with pets but not livestock; this education allows everyone to keep the public safe during stressful times,” says Leah Dorman, director of Food Programs, Center for Food & Animal Issues, Ohio Farm Bureau.
To learn more about the foundation, go to www.aflfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/animalsforlifefoundation.