June 16, 2005

A three day large animal technical emergency rescue class will be held in Bluffton this July.

Bluffton,SC,USA

The class is targeted to firefighters, law enforcement, veterinarians and anyone interested in the technical aspect of large animal rescue.

It is designed to teach students how to safely rescue large animals, such as horses, cows, donkeys and llamas.

"There is a lot of need in this area for a class like this because of hurricanes and torrential rain," said Jodi Witte, organizer of the event and member of the federal government's veterinary assistance team.

Witte is also the owner of her own company, AnimalHelp.com, which is one of three ordanizations that is sponsoring the event.

"Not knowing the proper procedures is not just a danger to the animal, but also to the human making the rescue." said Witte.

The three-day course will take place at Star Ridge Stables on Rose Hill Plantation in Bluffton from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 15-17.

The public is invited to attend from 1 p.pm till 4 p.m. to see first hand rescues using live animals and real situations, such as mud rescue, airlift and vertical lists, water and other simulated rescues.

There will be an $8 gate pass fee for each vehicle.

The event is sponsored by AnimalHelp.com, Star Ridge Stables and Heroes on Horseback.

For information on attendance call 683-5995 or e-mail jwitte@animalhelp.com.