First-Aid and Safety
Having a first-aid kit in your home is an important part of being a responsible teammate to your Service Dog. According to The Humane Society of the United States you should have pet specific supplies such as:
- Phone numbers: your veterinarian, the nearest emergency-veterinary clinic (along with directions!) and a poison-control center or hotline (such as the ASPCA poison-control center, which can be reached at 1-800-426-4435)
- Paperwork for your pet (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies-vaccination status, copies of other important medical records and a current photo of your pet (in case he gets lost)
- Nylon leash
- Self-cling bandage (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur-available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs)
You should also have basic first-aid supplies like gauze, tape, an ice pack, scissors, and gloves. Please refer to The Humane Society website for an exhaustive list of supplies.
