Higher Certificate in Canine First Aid for Veterinary Receptionists
This veterinary approved and externally accredited online course is written and designed by a qualified registered veterinary nurse and clinicial animal behaviourist. It has been designed for veterinary receptionists, fulfilling Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
Veterinary receptionists’ are invariably the ones who have to deal with emergencies over the phone and at the front desk. So having some knowledge of first aid could be the difference between life and death. This course shares a lot of lessons with our other Canine First Aid course, however this certificate course has lessons tailored for the veterinary receptionist, including: learning how to carry out basic telephone triage, gathering information, supporting distressed owners and preparing for the arrival of an emergency case.
Written with the benefit of practical veterinary experience and informed by current veterinary best practice standards.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain the skills to identify and effectively respond to various first aid scenarios that may arise.
- Acquire the knowledge necessary to conduct a safe assessment of the dog's condition.
- Learn the proper techniques for administering basic first aid treatments and providing immediate care while awaiting veterinary assistance.
- Explore fundamental principles of first aid, emphasising safe handling practices and updated CPR protocols (based on internationally recognised authority in veterinary CPR), along with additional essential skills.
- Learn how to support distressed owners and how to give accurate advice over the phone.
- Fulfils PSS (12.1.3 - Any member of the team carrying out triage or first aid on an animal must have had appropriate training).
This course includes:
- 10 modules
- Bitesize lessons
- Access on all devices
- Lifetime access
- Video demonstrations
- Downloads
- No assessments, just quizzes
- Accredited certificate of completion
- CPD transcript
- Tutorial & technical support
- Unique 'Accredited First Aider’ graphic
- First aid quick reference e-book
Who this course is for:
- Veterinary Receptionists
- Nursing Assistants
- Trainee Veterinary Nurses
- Veterinary Nurses
- Ward / Kennel Staff
- Pet professionals
Before you enrol:
There are no specific requirements for this course. This certificate course has been designed to help the student develop new skills and enhance their knowledge. You can enrol on this courses without any animal related qualifications, although a reasonable standard of literacy is required.
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
The course recognises that the veterinary surgeons act 1966 restricts the diagnosis and treatment of an animal by another person other than a qualified and registered veterinary surgeon. However any lay person can carry out first aid in an emergency situation.
This course is NOT designed to replace veterinary treatment and attention. For all first aid cases, a veterinary surgeon should be contacted as soon as possible.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Intro to First Aid & Patient Assessment
- Introduction & Course Outline
- The basic principles of first aid
- Advising a client of what to include in a home first aid kit
- Hand hygiene, safe handling and restraining techniques
- Assessing and examining the patient and measuring the vital signs
- Mucous Membranes and Capillary Refill Time
- Suggested Tasks
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Triage: Prioritising injuries and determining which casualty requires immediate veterinary attention
- Telephone Triage and Assessing the Severity of the Injuries
- Triage Classification Guide (Download)
- Initial Contact - Primary Survey (Download)
-
Using the DRs ABC Flow Chart & Providing Telephone Advice
- Using the DRs ABC Flow Chart (Download)
- Providing Telephone Advice
-
General First Aid Situations
- Haemorrhage and Locating the pressure points
- Dealing with clinical shock
- General Wounds
- Poisoning
- Bites and Stings
- Suggested Tasks
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
CPR, Neurological & Recognition of Pain
- Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest (CPA) and Performing Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Kennel-side CPR
- Dealing with fits
- Recognising pain and its effect on the patient
- Suggested Tasks
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
Student reviews:
- Students praised the course for delivering comprehensive information in clear, digestible modules that were easy to follow.
- Reviewers valued the mix of videos, diagrams and downloadable resources that made learning engaging and enjoyable throughout.
- Students gained genuine confidence applying their new canine first aid knowledge to their veterinary reception roles.
- Learners appreciated the flexible online format allowed them to study at their own pace around work commitments.
Based on 10 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Recommend
It's really informative and fully explained studies material
Canine First Aid
An in depth course that helps expand knowledge with regards to canine first aid. Very useful videos and text to help making the course fun and enjoyable.
Canine First Aid
I found this course very beneficial, I have enjoyed learning about Canine first aid and would like to continue my knowledge in this topic. I have enjoyed being able to do a course online within the time that I can, however I would also be interested in a in person course to really expand my knowledge.
Canine First Aid
Great CPD covers everything you need to know whilst not including pages and pages of information to read through, very direct and straight to the point making it easy to follow and understand
Canine first aid
The canine first aid course was packed with information. Nothing was left uncovered from CPR and bleeds to strains, sprains and prioritising injuries. The course was topped off with great videos, diagrams and downloadable leaflets. I have gained knowledge on topics I didn't know about and have furthered my knowledge in other areas. The course is definitely worth doing and has given me more confidence within my job role as well as with my own pets.
Canine first aid
Really enjoyed this course very informative
Keep growing — CPD courses chosen for you…
Higher Certificate in Canine Health & Well-being
by Caroline Clark
- 9 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Accredited Course
- Webinar & Demonstrations
Bestseller
Higher Certificate in Canine First Aid
by Caroline Clark
- 8 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Accredited Course
- Video Demonstrations
Running Successful Puppy Socialisation Events Webinar
by Caroline Clark
- 5 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Recorded Webinar
- Download guides & templates