To be a professional dog walker/sitter, is being certified in pet first aid and cpr a good idea? And from what organization could I earn this?
Hi Ron: I'm a sitter that does walking and drop in visits, and I also got certified in pet emergency care and CPR in March. So yes, I do think it is a good idea. There are a lot of options to take the course, many which are online. I am an "old fashioned learner" and preferred a classroom setting, so I took the course in a nearby major city's emergency vet clinic. It was nice to be able to ask questions when I had them, I monitored pulse/heart rate, checked gums for signs of shock, and to actually wrap a dog's leg (as if it were injured) while the instructor looked on. I now have an emergency kit that I keep in my trunk that I supplied with bandages, saline, tweezers, scissors, etc. so I am prepared in case some emergency does arise. I also purchased a pet emergency book from Amazon that I periodically look over to keep everything fresh in my mind. In case you're curious, I paid $60 for my class. You could check with your local Red Cross or Humane Society for pet emergency care/CPR classes, or a local ER vet clinic for an in person class.
I definitely think it's a good idea for any pet professional (and owner!) to learn how to handle an emergency situation and provide basic life-saving care until you can reach a vet. I've taken a pet CPR and first aid course through my emergency vet, but if that's not an option, there are a number of good resources available online or through apps.
The Red Cross even has a Pet First Aid app for Apple and Android.
There's also Dog CPR, First Aid + Safety for pet pros + dedicated owners which is what I just recently completed. Lots of great resources and you can review anytime you like to freshen up your skills.