Veterinary
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, Section of Critical Care.
K-9 Disaster Relief is part of a
study being conducted by the
University of
Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies,
Section of Critical Care. The study by Principal Investigator Cynthia M. Otto,
DVM, PhD, DACVECC, Associate Professor-Critical Care is on the medical
examination of the FEMA search and rescue dogs deployed to the
World
Trade Center and K-9
Disaster Relief.
Dr. Cynthia Otto at Ground Zero by Ladder Company 10-10
The critical health and behavioral information will be used to establish better and safer training. Also, working and monitoring of the dogs and their human companions.
Frank
Shane, Founder and Executive Director of the K-9
Disaster Relief
has lectured at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary
Medicine. His presentation included the work at Ground Zero and the emerging
field of canines as facilitators in conjunction with mental health, social work
and clergy.
Ground Zero Closing Ceremony, May 28, 2002
The critical health and behavioral information will be used to establish better and safer training. Also, working and monitoring of the dogs and their human companions. On February 11, 2002, Frank Shane, Executive Director of the K-9 Disaster Relief organization lectured at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. His presentation included the work at Ground Zero and the emerging field of canines crisis intervention.
VPI Skeeter Foundation "Prescribe Pets Not
Pills"
On July 23, 2002, the VPI Skeeter Foundation
presented K-9 Disaster Relief with a lifetime Veterinary Pet Insurance major
medical policy along with Vaccination & Routine Care Coverage and the Cancer
endorsement. This gift was in recognition for being enrolled in the AKC-Canine
Health Foundation study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. This gift
is greatly appreciated and we thank the VPI Skeeter Foundation:
http://www.skeeterfoundation.org
Psychological
University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences,
Department of Psychology
K-9 Disaster Relief has
lectured on the short-term and long-term effects of trauma as observed and
documented since September 11th. The organizations unprecedented
access, both at Ground Zero and family victims’ throughout New York City,
provided students and faculty insights to trauma, in resilience, vulnerability,
and how to design effective interventions for people at high risk. In addition
to Ground Zero, K-9 Disaster Relief was the only organization to work with
victim families of the November 12th American Airlines 587 crash.
Canine disaster relief handlers experience emotional and stress related
problems. Canine mental health therapy is unique in that it is based on a
partnership between different species, neither of whom can perform their duties
without the other. In addition to case studies, the presentation addressed
health related issues of both the canine and handler.