HPD K9 First Aid and Memorial Hermann Life Flight Training

On July 12, 2023, HPD Officers, HPD K9 Officers, and Memorial Hermann Life Flight all engaged in practical exercise training with dogs to help with K9 care. The demonstration shows canine assessment, proper wound packing, CPR, and canine down drills. The event took place from 0900 to 1400 at the Houston Police Officer’s Union Hall. This training has taken place all over the United States and nationally; to date they have trained 1,378 EMS personnel and law enforcement officers.

This program is in honor of Dr. Red Duke who was a true pioneer and was instrumental in developing Life Flight, the state’s first lifesaving air ambulance service. Dr. Red Duke always wanted to create a K9 care air lifesaving program but was not able to accomplish it in his lifetime.  This program is in his honor.

A special thank you to HPD’s very own Officer Kristin Uhlin who has spent countless hours and has dedicated herself tirelessly to this program to make it a success. Also, a special thank you to Memorial Hermann Life Flight personnel, George Tarver, Aaron Young, and Rudy Cabrera who started teaching the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Class in June of 2019. They also joined Officer Uhlin at the Houston World Series of Dog Shows to provide demonstrations for K9 casualty care. The partnership between the Houston Police Department and Memorial Hermann Life Flight has been instrumental in making this training a success.

Author Shannon Barker

Published August 7, 20-23