EMT And Service Dog Handler Advises Reddit On How To Best Protect Dogs In Car Accidents

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kalila courban
Feb 28, 2022 3:00 PM EST

We doggo owners know that there are few things we would not do to ensure the happiness and safety of our beloved four-legged canines. We don't like to think about scary or sad things, but sometimes we need to in order to better prepare ourselves for them. Car accidents happen all the time, like at an insanely high rate. We, humans, drive cars and therefore take a risk of getting into an accident every time we get behind the wheel. 

Though it is highly unlikely that anything will happen, when we have special four-legged passengers in the car with us, we want to make sure they are the most comfortable but also safe, that they can be. One EMT/Service Dog Handler/Avid Redditor took to the interwebs to share some very important advice with doggo owners everywhere on how to best protect dogs in car accidents, as well as guide first responders to adequately care for them in emergency situations. This thread is a must-read for dog parents everywhere. 

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  • 01
    Rectangle - Posted by u/LastSelection7452 3 days ago 2 Dogs in car accidents [Discussion]
    via LastSelection7452
  • 02
    Font - Hi I'm an EMT and service dog handler and I have some tips for how to keep your dog safe in the car and how to get help EMS care for them in an accident. (Best for working dogs but also good for pets)
    via LastSelection7452

    "Hi I'm an EMT and service dog handler and I have some tips for how to keep your dog safe in the car and how to get help EMS care for them in an accident."

    And we certainly appreciate the tips! Thank you, kind Reddit user.

  • 03
    Font - 1. The amount of dogs I've seen not make it in accidents is too many. Please secure you dog, and not by the collar! Trunks are crumple zones so if your securing in kennels in the trunk make sure the kennel is pushed all the way to the back seat. Gun dog owners with trucks make sure your kennels are ratcheted down securely and you should be all good! Those gunner kennels are amazing! In the foot well of the front seat is not ideal. Many cars have knee airbags. If the dog is in between your
    via LastSelection7452

    A plethora of important information and advice, we'll be saving this thread for future reference and sending it to all of our dog-owning / car riding friends. 

  • 04
    Font - 2. If you are conscious you can give verbal commands about what to do with your dog in an accident. Have an emergency plan for your dog. Have a designated person who can pick you dog up from animal control in case you need to go to the hospital. The less time at animal control the better. If you are unconscious there are a few ways to communicate your wants for your dog. Have a folder with emergency information for your dog next to them in a place visible to EMS. Have a sticker on your wi
    via LastSelection7452
  • 05
    Font - pardie420 · 3 days ago This is all fantastic advice. I work with animal control and have had to collect dogs from car accidents. Thankfully the ones I have collected have been okay, but also an incredibly stressful situation for all parties involved.
    via pardie420
  • 06
    Font - duchess_of_fire · 3 days ago microchips allow for emergency contacts for dogs, their vet's information, etc. in addition to owner information. it may make it easier and less likely to be missed in al| the confusion of an accident
    via duchess_of_fire
  • 07
    Font - guineapig_scrim · 3 days ago My dad is a first responder to car accidents. He has seen a decent amount of cases where the dog had escaped or been thrown out of the car, was (mostly) uninjured, but was very panicked. Sometimes they would run away and get lost, or run around the area in a frenzy for an hour or more, refusing to come to anyone. If you do have a car accident, you can't be 100% sure your dog will stay with you or at the scene, or be calm enough to trust anyone. So make sure yo
    via guineapig_scrim
  • 08
    Font - KMAC243 · 3 days ago My dog travels best in a crate. He doesn't love the car. I use the seatbelt to buckle it into the back seat. Is that safe, or should I get the harness instead? 15 Reply Share •.. theBLEEDINGoctopus · 3 days ago If they are crated it needs to be a crate that is all one piece, not one that is connected with a top and bottom, because the top will come off and become a projectile.
    via KMAC243
  • 09
    Font - CollieflowersBark · 3 days ago Is there a crash test rated harness that you recommend? I have been looking for one for a while and haven't been able to find one that I trust enough to buy. 10 Reply Share •.. LastSelection7452 OP · 3 days ago I don't recommend one but the one I use is the sleepypod. Make sure do to your own research!
    via CollieflowersBark
  • 10
    Font - usernames_r_lame · 3 days ago I also have a sleepypod harness. I use it exclusively for the car. It's pretty good. My dog isn't fond of it though so he sometimes twists himself all up in the seatbelt (usually when we arrive but early on he would do it anytime). I don't think there's anyway to prevent this with the harness. They also make these cute little pod car seat things which seem nice, but my dog is too big for those.
    via usernames_r_lame
  • 11
    Font - pupsnfood · 3 days ago I don't know about crash test safety but I've been really happy with my dogs Petsafe 3 in 1 harness. It's our normal daily harness and it has an attachment I leave in the car that connects him to the seat belt. It allows him a bit of movement to stick his head out the window and lay down but not much more than that. He's a big dog so it's hard to find ways to restrain him in the car and I've been super happy with it
    via pupsnfood

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handler dogs informative emergency thread emt first-responder service dogs doggo services advice uplifting health reddit thread Reddit
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