Pet First Aid & CPR Training

Learn Life-Saving Pet First Aid Skills

Accidents happen fast. When your dog or cat needs immediate help, will you know what to do? According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), nearly 25% of pets could survive an emergency if just one first aid technique was applied before reaching a vet. Don’t wait—arm yourself with the knowledge to save a life.

Just Fur-Babies offers the most comprehensive, vet-approved Pet First Aid and CPR courses available, following the latest RECOVER Initiative guidelines. Whether you need the flexibility of an Online Certification (available globally) or prefer Hands-On training in the Kansas City area, we have a course built for pet owners, veterinary staff, and any pet industry professional alike.

pet first aid class.

Choose Your Path: Flexible Pet First Aid Training

We offer two certification options to fit your learning style and busy schedule, on line or in person. Investing a few hours now can save a trip to the emergency vet later. Both courses are taught by certified Pro Trainings instructors and adhere to the rigorous, evidence-based standards set by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS).

Online Pet First Aid & CPR Course: Learn Anywhere, Anytime

$44.95 per person with discount code

pet first aid course for cat and dog owners

If you are not able to attend a Just Fur-Babies class in person, partner with Pro Trainings, a world-recognized online pet first aid/CPR course provider. This self-paced, video-based course is ideal for global professionals and pet owners seeking core certification regardless of their location.

  • Global Access: Available from any city in the world, 24/7.
  • Self-Paced Learning: Complete the modules on your schedule and gain immediate access to life-saving knowledge.
  • Certification: Like the in-person class, you receive a two-year certificate of completion and can download the course book instantly.
  • Discount: Enter the exclusive discount code: CPR-justfurbabies when you register at Pro Pet Hero to earn a 10% discount off the class fee!

 

GET CERTIFIED TODAY!

Hands-On In-Person Certification

Student registration starts at $130 per person

If your pet were in immediate danger, would you be prepared to save their life? Emergency care can take a long time to access, and looking up information on the internet or YouTube could cost your pet’s life.

This fun, interactive 4-hour classroom program is specifically designed to build your confidence—ensuring you leave knowing you can help your pet. You’ll gain the skills and assurance needed to act quickly and calmly when every second counts.

  • Instructor Credibility: Taught by Kansas City based certified Pro Pet Hero Instructor Kelly Detherow. As a dedicated pet owner herself and 9 years of Professional Pet Sitting experience, Kelly adds relatable, real-life situations and valuable Fear Free techniques to her instruction.
  • Course Materials: Each student receives a Pet First Aid/CPR handbook compiled with information (including color illustrations) and working materials to support your learning experience in the class.
  • Certification: Upon successful completion, you will receive a 2-year Pet First Aid Certificate of Completion.

Ideal for All Pet Professionals: This class is highly recommended for groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, veterinary assistants, all pet industry staff, rescues, shelters, foster homes, trainers, EMTs, police, fire rescue, or anyone who might need these skills on-the-job. Contact us for additional information regarding on-site training!

Move from fear to preparedness. See our class schedule and learn exactly what to do in a pet emergency.

pet first aid class attendee in KC.

What You’ll Master: Critical Skills and Confidence

Our comprehensive, veterinarian-approved curriculum focuses on teaching you the critical skills and confidence needed to keep your pet stable until professional care is reached.

Core Skill / Emergency Scenario

Pet CPR & Rescue Breathing

What You Will Learn

RECOVER Initiative guidelines for Basic Life Support (BLS) to treat cardiopulmonary arrest in dogs and cats.

Core Skill / Emergency Scenario

Handling & Restraint

What You Will Learn

Techniques for safely handling, muzzling, and transporting injured or ill pets, incorporating Fear Free techniques to reduce stress.

Core Skill / Emergency Scenario

Bleeding & Wound Care

What You Will Learn

Treating bleeding and wounds, recognizing internal hemorrhage, and safe bandaging techniques.

Core Skill / Emergency Scenario

Gastrointestinal & Respiratory

What You Will Learn

Dealing with severe conditions like bloat, vomiting, seizures, and choking incidents.

Core Skill / Emergency Scenario

Environmental Emergencies

What You Will Learn

Handling heat stroke and hypothermia (cold injuries), as well as burns and broken bones.

Core Skill / Emergency Scenario

Toxin & Triage

What You Will Learn

Initial steps for poisoning incidents and performing a thorough Head-to-Tail wellness check to assess pet vitals.

KC pet first aid class.

Know Your Pet

“It really encouraged me to see my dogs as individuals in their assessments and knowing their resting heart rates and things like that. It will give them each weekly individualized attention!” – Melissa W

In-Person Class Policies

Please review the following policies before registering for your hands-on class:

  • No Pets Permitted: For the safety of our students and the best learning environment, pets are not permitted in our pet first aid classes.
  • Payment & Registration: Payment is required at time of registration to secure your spot.
  • Rescheduling/Refunds: We keep our classes small to give everyone adequate time to learn, so we have a no-refund policy. However, you may reschedule to attend another class within 3 months of your original booking date.
  • Attire: Please wear comfortable clothing, as we will be moving around in class and performing physical CPR skills.
  • Household Discount: Discounted rates are available for two students from the same household. Please contact us prior to registration to inquire.

See Our Upcoming Classes!

Get information on our upcoming Pet First Aid classes and register today!

Attendee Reviews

cat and dog first aid class in KC
Highly Recommended

I attended Pet First Aid taught by Kelly from Just Fur-Babies and I was very impressed with the class and the knowledge she had on everything related to cats and dogs. We learned how to perform CPR on them as well as how to perform wellness checks on our own pets. It was very informative and I highly recommend this course to every pet owner.

Julie W., Olathe

Essential Foster Skills

As a pet foster, I’m always looking for ways to ensure the animals in my care are safe and well-cared for, so I decided to take a Pet First Aid, CPR, and Safety course led by Kelly Detherow. I have to say, it was incredibly informative and absolutely essential for anyone who works with animals, whether you’re a foster, a pet owner, or involved in rescue work.

The course was structured in a very practical way, starting with the basics of pet health, identifying signs of illness or distress, and understanding vital signs. What I appreciated the most was the hands-on component of the training. We were shown how to perform CPR on both dogs and cats, with detailed instructions on handling different breeds and sizes. The instructors emphasized real-life scenarios, such as what to do if an animal is choking or injured.

One part of the course that stood out was the section on pet safety, which covered everything from creating a pet first aid kit to preparing for natural disasters. As a foster, having multiple animals in my home at times, it was great to learn how to pet-proof my space and recognize potential hazards.

Another highlight was learning how to handle pets during high-stress situations. Many foster animals are scared or anxious, and knowing how to safely restrain and calm them was a skill I didn’t realize I needed until now.

Overall, this course gave me invaluable skills. I feel much more confident in my ability to respond to emergencies, and it’s given me peace of mind that I can provide better care for my fosters. Whether you’re fostering, volunteering, or just a pet owner, I highly recommend it. It’s an investment in your pet’s safety and your own peace of mind.

Jennifer B., Lenexa

Pet Sitter Confidence

I recently completed an outstanding Pet First Aid Class that has made a huge difference in my work as a Pet Sitter. The course was well-structured, informative and hands-on, covering everything from CPR and emergency response to recognizing signs of distress in pets. One of the most valuable parts for me was learning how to administer medication in a Fear Free manner, something that’s been incredibly helpful with anxious or reactive pets. The instructor emphasized gentle handling techniques and stress-reducing strategies that I now use daily. I feel much more confident and prepared to keep pets safe and comfortable. Highly recommend this class to anyone working with animals!

Zack T., Kansas City, MO

Hands-On Insight

I found the videos really helpful. Much more of a visual/hands on learner than just from lecture. Same with muzzling and bandaging the dog…..I was impressed with the number of topics addressed as well…I learned somethings – especially dog things…like “bloat.” Some just reinforced previous learning.

Michelle J., Kansas City, KS

Confident Dog Groomer

Kelly’s Pet First Aid course was fantastic! As a dog groomer, I learned practical skills like CPR, choking rescue, and emergency prep through hands-on demos. Kelly’s engaging style and real world examples made it relevant and easy to grasp. I feel more confident keeping my furry clients safe. Highly recommend to all groomers, pet parents and anyone that work with pets!

Kadi W., Springfield, MO

Don’t see a class near you, contact us and we can add you to our wait list.