Higher Certificate in Canine First Aid for Veterinary Receptionists
Lessons specifically tailored for the veterinary receptionist, including: learning how to carry out basic telephone triage, gathering information, supporting distressed owners and preparing for the arrival of an emergency case.
This veterinary approved and externally accredited online course is written and designed by a qualified registered veterinary nurse and clinicial animal behaviourist. It has been designed for veterinary receptionists, fulfilling Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. Veterinary receptionists’ are invariably the ones who have to deal with emergencies over the phone and at the front desk. So having some knowledge of first aid could be the difference between life and death.
The course is made up of multiple learning processes, such as written content, video demonstrations, downloadable resources and suggested tasks. There are no exams, but to obtain your certificate you must answer some multiple choice questions. Like human first aid, it is recommended that you refresh your skills every three years.
Course aims:
- To recognise and respond to a range of first aid situations.
- How to carry out basic telephone triage and gathering vital information.
- To carry out a safe assessment of the dog.
- How to support distressed owners.
- How to give accurate advice over the phone.
- Basic principles, safe handling, up-to-date CPR and much more.
- Fulfils PSS (12.1.3 – Any member of the team carrying out triage or first aid on an animal must have had appropriate training).
- See full course curriculum below.
Course features:
- Written with the benefit of practical veterinary experience.
- Information and content based on the latest veterinary standards.
- Life saving techniques based on internationally recognised authority in veterinary CPR.
- Easy-to-digest lessons give you the flexibility to learn at home at your own pace.
- Recorded video demonstrations.
- Tutor and technical support available.
- Lifetime access to dip in and out of the course whenever you need to refresh your knowledge.
- Accredited CPD certificate of completion.
- CPD reflection for professional portfolio and CPD log.
- CPD transcript for prospective employers.
- Unique ‘Accredited First Aider’ membership badge graphic to use on your website or social media.
- Quick reference E-Book.
- Works on computers, tablets & smartphones.
Suitable for:
- Veterinary Receptionists
- Nursing Assistants
- Veterinary Nurses
- Trainee Veterinary Nurses
- Ward / Kennel Staff
- Pet professionals
This course includes:
- 10 modules
Before you enrol:
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Intro to First Aid & Patient Assessment
- Introduction & Course Outline
- The basic principles of first aid
- Advising a client of what to include in a home first aid kit
- Hand hygiene, safe handling and restraining techniques
- Assessing and examining the patient and measuring the vital signs
- Mucous Membranes and Capillary Refill Time
- Suggested Tasks
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Triage: Prioritising injuries and determining which casualty requires immediate veterinary attention
- Telephone Triage and Assessing the Severity of the Injuries
- Triage Classification Guide (Download)
- Initial Contact - Primary Survey (Download)
-
Using the DRs ABC Flow Chart & Providing Telephone Advice
- Using the DRs ABC Flow Chart (Download)
- Providing Telephone Advice
-
General First Aid Situations
- Haemorrhage and Locating the pressure points
- Dealing with clinical shock
- General Wounds
- Poisoning
- Bites and Stings
- Suggested Tasks
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
CPR, Neurological & Recognition of Pain
- Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest (CPA) and Performing Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Kennel-side CPR
- Dealing with fits
- Recognising pain and its effect on the patient
- Suggested Tasks
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
Student reviews:
- Students appreciated how the course delivered comprehensive information in bite-sized, easy-to-follow modules without overwhelming them.
- Reviewers felt significantly more confident applying first aid skills in their veterinary receptionist roles and with their own pets.
- Students valued the engaging mix of videos, diagrams, and downloadable resources that made learning enjoyable and practical.
- Learners praised the course's accessibility for non-qualified professionals, making complex canine first aid understandable for everyone.
Based on 10 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Recommend
It's really informative and fully explained studies material
Canine First Aid
An in depth course that helps expand knowledge with regards to canine first aid. Very useful videos and text to help making the course fun and enjoyable.
Canine First Aid
I found this course very beneficial, I have enjoyed learning about Canine first aid and would like to continue my knowledge in this topic. I have enjoyed being able to do a course online within the time that I can, however I would also be interested in a in person course to really expand my knowledge.
Canine First Aid
Great CPD covers everything you need to know whilst not including pages and pages of information to read through, very direct and straight to the point making it easy to follow and understand
Canine first aid
The canine first aid course was packed with information. Nothing was left uncovered from CPR and bleeds to strains, sprains and prioritising injuries. The course was topped off with great videos, diagrams and downloadable leaflets. I have gained knowledge on topics I didn't know about and have furthered my knowledge in other areas. The course is definitely worth doing and has given me more confidence within my job role as well as with my own pets.
Canine first aid
Really enjoyed this course very informative
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