Firefighters from Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Leamington and Tecumseh joined first responders from the OPP and RCMP for the day-long training program hosted by Equine Guelph [1] at the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA). [2]

As reported by CTV News, the course equips emergency personnel with skills to manage animals stuck in mud, overturned trailers and other complex scenarios where human and animal lives may be at risk.

"It could be a horse, it could be a cow, livestock, anything that an animal gets into a predicament, an incident,” said Susan Raymond, communications and program officer for Equine Guelph. “We as people want to help that animal. But sometimes we don't know what to do. We put ourselves in harm's way and then if the first responders are involved, they end up trying to save the person rather than the horse. So we're really trying to focus on best practices for both safety of animals and for people as well."

Watch or read on CTV News: How do you rescue a large animal? First responders attend training program [3]