Massachusetts State Police stop team medics learn emergency K9 care

“On May 21, K9 teams and medics from the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations (STOP) Team participated in an Emergency K9 Medical Class provided by Veterinary Specialty Center of Sturbridge.

Staff members from the Center — Dr Paul McCarthy, DVM, DACVS; Dr. Sheila McCarthy, DVM; Shannon Byrnes, CVT; and Amanda Bouvier, CVT — taught emergency K9 medical care skills to the STOP medics and to the UMass Medical Center medics (who accompany STOP on all missions). The presentation taught how to provide immediate medical care in the field if a dog is injured during a STOP mission, including starting an IV (pictured).

STOP is the specialized, full-time MSP unit that makes tactical building entries, conducts warrant service against potentially armed and dangerous targets, and assists in arrest operations of suspects known to pose a high risk for weapons use or other violence.

The MSP and UMass are extremely grateful to Dr. McCarthy and his staff for putting on an awesome training that will allow us to better care for canine members of our family who are injured in service to their mission to protect public safety.”-Massachusetts State Police.

All photos by the Massachusetts State Police: