Be the person who knew what to do.
A full day of in-person Pet First Aid & CPR training in Calgary. Real techniques, real mannequins, real confidence — so when something goes wrong, you don't freeze.
Skills you'll walk out with
Each one is a moment you'll be glad you trained for. We focus on the ones that decide the next ten minutes.
CPR & rescue breathing
Restore airflow to a collapsed dog in under 30 seconds — practiced on full-size mannequins.
Choking response
The Heimlich for dogs is different than for humans. Learn the angle, the force, and when to switch tactics.
Bleeding & shock
Pressure points, makeshift tourniquets, and the signs of shock that mean you call ahead to the vet.
Poisoning & toxins
Chocolate, xylitol, antifreeze, marijuana — what to do in the first ten minutes before you reach a clinic.
Heatstroke & frostbite
Calgary swings hard. Recognize the early signs and the cooling sequence that doesn't shock the heart.
Safe handling & transport
Restrain, muzzle, and move an injured animal without making things worse — even when they're scared.
Plus burns, insect bites, seizures, eye and ear injuries, and how to build a Pet First Aid Kit you'll actually keep stocked.
Taught by someone who's been in the room when it mattered.
Melissa has been teaching Pet First Aid in Calgary since 2025. Formerly a vet assistant, she brings over nine years of hands-on dog handling, training, and grooming experience to every class. Every technique you'll learn comes from real protocols, refined over years of working with the dogs in our care.
The class stays small — six people max — so everyone gets hands-on time on the mannequins. No large-room demonstrations where you watch from the back.
Built for the people pets actually rely on
If a pet is ever in your care — even for an hour — this is for you.
New & experienced pet parents
Especially families with curious kids and active dogs who get into things.
Pet pros & sitters
Dog-walkers, sitters, daycare staff, groomers — anyone responsible for someone else's animal.
Dog-park & trail regulars
If you're at Edworthy or Nose Hill three days a week, you'll see things. Be the one who can help.
Pet-friendly business staff
Hotel, café, brewery, retail teams — front-line people whose customers bring their dogs.
Everything you get for $160
- 01
8+ hours of in-person training
Full day, Sunday, with breaks. Not online, not self-paced.
- 02
Live demonstrations
Every technique shown by the instructor before you try it.
- 03
Hands-on mannequin practice
Full-size dog mannequins. CPR you can actually feel working.
- 04
Printed Pet First Aid manual
Take-home reference. Same one we use in the daycare break room.
- 05
Pet First Aid Kit checklist
Build a kit that lives in your car or your front closet — exactly what to stock.
- 06
Certificate of completion
Issued within 7 business days. Useful for pet pros who need it on file.
Upcoming Calgary sessions
Sundays, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Six seats per session.
Secure checkout via Stripe · Full refund 7+ days before
- OpenJuly 19Sunday · 2026
- OpenAugust 16Sunday · 2026
- OpenSeptember 13Sunday · 2026
All sessions: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM at 1313 16 Ave SW. Six seats per session.
Reserve a future seat — $160Neither date works? Join the waitlist and we'll email you when we set the next session.
What past attendees say
Real outcomes from Calgary pet parents and pros who've taken the course.
My dog and I are on the trails almost every weekend in summer. After the course I know what early heatstroke actually looks like — the gum colour, the gait change, the panting pattern — instead of waiting until it's obvious. I cool him down sooner now, and I know the right way to do it.
Hands-on practice with the mannequins is what made it stick. I've taken human first aid before — this was the first time I felt actually prepared for an animal emergency.
I'm a dog walker. Three of my clients ask if I'm pet first aid certified. Now I am, and it's already paid for itself.
How the day flows
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM with a proper lunch break. Comfortable clothes — you'll be on the floor practising.
Foundations. Pet anatomy, vital signs, how to read distress before it becomes an emergency.
CPR & rescue breathing. Live demo, then hands-on mannequin practice. Everyone gets multiple turns.
Bleeding, shock, fractures. Pressure points, makeshift tourniquets, transporting an injured animal safely.
Lunch break. Bring or grab — we're in 17th Ave SW, lots of options nearby.
Toxins, choking, seizures. The protocols that decide the next ten minutes before a vet.
Heatstroke, frostbite, burns, bites. Calgary-specific scenarios — what we actually see.
Skills check & first aid kit walkthrough. Build the kit, run through scenarios, certificate logistics.
The fine print, kept honest
Read before you book — no surprises.
Cancellation & refund
Bringing your dog
Participant requirements & certification
Health, safety, media & conduct
Pet First Aid course questions, answered.
How much does the Pet First Aid course cost?
The Pet First Aid course costs $160 plus GST. This includes 8+ hours of in-person training, instructor-led demonstrations, hands-on practice with full-size pet mannequins, a printed Pet First Aid manual, and a Pet First Aid Kit checklist.
When are the next Pet First Aid courses in Calgary?
Upcoming sessions are Sunday, June 14, Sunday, July 19, Sunday, August 16, and Sunday, September 13, 2026, all running 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at PAWS Dog Daycare. Each session is limited to 6 participants. Reserve a seat.
Is this an accredited Pet First Aid certification?
Yes. Course content is grounded in veterinary standards and successful participants receive a Pet First Aid certificate within 7 business days of completion. The certificate is recognized by Calgary-area pet-care employers and is suitable for staff training files at dog walkers, sitters, daycares, and groomers.
How does this compare to St. John Ambulance pet first aid?
Our course is comparable in scope and duration but is taught by an instructor who works with dogs every day at our Calgary daycare. The class is capped at 6 people so everyone gets real hands-on time on the mannequins — not just the people in the front row.
Do I need any prior training to take this course?
No prior training is required. The course is built for everyday pet parents and frontline pet-care staff. If you've taken human first aid before you'll recognize some of the framework, but the techniques for animals are different and we cover everything from the foundations up.
Can my workplace pay for this or reimburse me?
Many pet-care employers reimburse Pet First Aid certification for staff. We provide a paid receipt and the certificate of completion — both can be submitted for reimbursement or attached to staff training records. If you need a custom invoice for your employer, email us.
Can I bring my dog to the Pet First Aid course?
Dogs are allowed by prior management approval only. Space for dogs is limited and not guaranteed. All dogs must be leashed, vaccinated, and well-behaved. Please contact us in advance to request approval.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 7 days in advance for a full refund. No-shows or cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable. If PAWS cancels the course, a full refund or credit will be offered.
Be the person who knew what to do.
One Sunday. Six seats. A skill you'll carry every time a leash is in your hand.
Reserve your seatLast updated