Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue . . .

The Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training was held April 19-22, 2007 at Shelby Farm and Agricenter's Show Place Arena. It was co-hosted by The University of Tennessee Extension Service and The Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance. We trained 27 people in large animal rescue. Many were veterinarian students at either Mississippi State or the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. These are the people who will be helping their communities in the future. We also trained personnel from the Memphis Humane Society, Shelby County Fire Department, members of the Alliance and people who just felt the need to be knowledgeable about how to do large animal rescue.

For three days these participants spent 8 hours in the classroom and in the field experiencing hands on training. This included finding an injured horse in Shelby Farms Park in the dark, stabilizing it and getting it to safety. They learned how to lift an animal trapped in a ditch or swimming pool, find the safest way to move a large animal trapped in its trailer, and how to rescue a large animal in flooding conditions. Unfortunately they also saw videos of rescues that went horribly wrong.

These people take back with them priceless information for that time in their life when they will be called upon to help in a large animal disaster... It is the hope and plan of the SFEA to continue to develop a rescue team that will be on call for Shelby County and the surrounding area.

Thanks to donations to the event the TLAER not only paid for itself but had a surplus. This money is now earmarked to be used for items that must be bought to put together an emergency trailer for use in disasters. A list of these items is in this publication. If you would like to donate to this project be assured that your donation will only be used for rescue equipment. Because of the weights we are dealing with many items must be specially ordered in order to assure they can handle anything from a small pony to a 2000 pound Clydesdale if necessary.

Donations provided by:
• Akin Equine Veterinary Services
• Shelby Farms Park Alliance
• U.S.Rider Equestrian Motor Plan