LSU Veterinary School to host LSART Household Pet Evacuation Training, August 31

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM) will host the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) Household Pet Evacuation Training for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal control officers, veterinary technician students, LSART members and citizen volunteers.

Training will take place on Friday, August 31 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s first-year classroom. Registration is free. For more information and to register, email lsartinfo@gmail.com or call 337-298-1636.

Since 2001, the LSU SVM’s animal Disaster Response and Traing Team (comprised of faculty, staff and students) has been responding to local and state emergencies in varying capacities. The LSU Small and Large Animal Disaster Response and Training Team responds to animal disasters as part of LSART and is ready and waiting to respond to the 2012 storm season or other animal emergencies as needed. Since 2005, this collaborative team has been able to acquire special equipment and the expertise required for responses of varying types and capacities and has continued to build the infrastructure needed for a functional emergency response support team. This includes credentialed veterinarians trained in infectious disease outbreaks and control, public health related issues, and the ability to respond to small or large-scale events such as trailer accidents, hurricanes, chemical spills, and animal disease outbreaks.  

Together, LSART and the LSU team has specialized disaster response equipment including a mobile command center equipped with a satellite equipment, portable corrals and stalls, kenneling materials, utility trailer containing technical rescue equipment, rescue boats, and a large animal training mannequin. While deployed, the team is able to perform assessments of animals, triage, and administer veterinary medical care to the injured. They are able to assess the environment for safe water and food supplies for stranded livestock and pets, evaluate food and nutrition needs, and develop ways to stabilize injured animals, move them to safety and shelter, and manage and staff small and large animal shelters and field hospitals. 

As part of LSART, the LSU Disaster Response Team is dedicated to being available to provide needed animal aid during a disaster. Saving animal lives saves human lives as was noted and acknowledged by the public during the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita. The LSU Disaster Response Team continues to use these response and training opportunities as a teaching tool for present and future veterinarians and other animal care personnel. The Louisiana State Animal Team with the help of the LSU Disaster Response Team has responded to Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, the Mississippi River flooding in Tennessee (May 2011), and smaller scale rescues including vehicular accidents and flood rescues.

For hurricane preparedness tips related to animal care and welfare, please click here or http://www.lsart.org, or https://www.facebook.com/pages/LSART-Louisiana-State-Animal-Response-Team/132649441211.

Media Contact:   

Ginger Guttner   

Director of Public Relations

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

225-578-9922 or gguttner@lsu.edu

Mission:

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is a dynamic community dedicated to saving lives, finding cures, and changing lives through outstanding clinical and community service, groundbreaking research, and educational excellence.