ABOUT

Hi, Welcome to Porches and Pets

My name is Ali and am from
Kennebunk, Maine. I am a Nationally Registered paramedic as well as an AHA and Pet-Tech® Instructor. I have been practicing and educating in the field of emergency medical services since 2007. In 2010, I added American Heart Association (AHA) Instructor to my resume and regularly certify healthcare providers and lay people so that thay can be prepared to administer CPR and First Aid if needed. Most recently, I acquired my Pet CPR, First Aid, and Care Instructors Certification after noting there is an underrepresented need in educating pet owners and pet-care professionals on how to respond in an emergency setting.

In the late 1990's I started pet sitting with a neighbor simply asking me to watch their beloved Golden Retriever. In a short period of time my reputation for my care built a simple service into a business just through word of mouth. Inadvertently, I specialized in high anxiety dogs (and a few cats) which required continuous support of their emotional needs as well as medical ones. The pet sitting business lasted for about six years before starting my own family.

I have three sons, a fiance, and three wild jungle beasts- Tucker, Romeo and Ajax- and an unrelenting chipmunk who is as confused about his place in our home as we are. He has the freedom to leave and is encouraged to - but I think is getting used to the comforts of a residential abode. When he does leave our stealth cat, Romeo, brings him back.

I have a passion for people and animals and while treating people is a skill I have honed since 2007 I realize there is very little in the way of education for the treatment of animals needing first aid or CPR. In the human world, we have immediate access to emergent care when something isn’t right. We call the doctor or dial 9-1-1 for emergent transport and get the condition looked at. Our pets lack the ability to verbally communicate in the same way and rely on their “people” to take notice. In busy lives we can easily overlook simple signs.

Our pets are important and have taken a role beyond “just the family dog”. They are family members. We call them our children and refer to ourselves as mom or dad, our human children have four-legged "siblings". Contemplating a dollar value to determine their lifes worth when they are sick or injured is as heartfully devastating as if we were talking about our human tribe counterparts. Their health is an investment from the very beginning and we are showing it by buying the best foods, the most comfortable beds, and (often times) the most fashionable vests to make them (and us) the envy of the neighborhood.

Notably, while we are investing in some important components of pet ownership along with some of the more frivolous (because we spoil our children) there is still very little out there to help us not feel helpless when our best companion needs us the most. Differing from the human world, when our pets are in crisis we don't have access to emergent transport. Knowing the signs and when and how to act is just as important for pets as it is for humans.

When my middle (human) child was two years old he went into respiratory arrest as a result of croup. I called 9-1-1 but response was delayed as our town ambulance was on another call- a neighboring town's ambulance was sent on our behalf though got lost in route. It took 26-minutes for them to arrive.

For a brief moment, I looked at my lifeless son and had no idea what to do. My emotions interfered with my ability to act despite previously having performed CPR countless times. I checked myself for a quick moment and had a self-conversation: “you do this for a living, stop being mom and be a care provider”. I switched my mom hat to the EMS one and my son was revived before the ambulance made it to my door.

I know first hand what it’s like to feel helpless and I am a trained
professional. I was polarized for a moment even with extensive training because I was emotionally invested. I remember reflecting, “what would have happened if I didn’t know what to do” "How would someone feel without my training if they were in the same situation?". I try not to think of the answer- and my hope is that should you ever need to call on the skills you will learn with me you will not have to reflect on that devastating answer either.
Its important to know that despite having all of the training and doing all of the “right” things- it may still not be enough for the best outcome. However, knowing when and how to respond will give you the tools you need to act and the piece of mind in knowing you did those right things, regardless of the outcome. My experience is that the emotional self and rational self do not always agree- my hope is that when you are in the moment you can get those two to meet in the middle.

CPR and First Aid for Humans, Canines, and Feline Friends

Protecting What Matters Most

CPR and First Aid is important for every person to know. My son learned at four-years-old and while he may have been too small physically to perform CPR on an adult he learned how to recognize the signs or cardiac arrest and could instruct another person on the proper technique to perform effective chest compressions and rescue breathing.

The importance of knowing what to do is just as important as how to do it. If you are physically incapable of performing CPR you may still be the only person in the room that knows what to do and your instruction to another helper may be invaluable to the person in need.

I offer classes in both pet and human CPR and First Aid.

Through the American Heart Association (AHA) you can be certified in BLS, Heart Saver, and Heart Saver with First Aid

Through Pet-Tech® you will be educated in PetSaver™ Pet CPR, First- Aid, and general pet care.

Additionally, I host other pet related classes in various topics including Hiking and Walking with your Pet.

The following is a breakdown of each certification:

AHA BLS for the Healthcare Provider:

This is a 5-hour hybrid course of CPR in the pre-hospital and hospital setting designed for Health Care Providers.

At the completion of the class you will take a practical and written test to assure competency. A BLS card will be issued and is valid for two years.

AHA Heartsaver Course:

This is a 4-hour hybrid course for CPR and Rescue Breathing in the out-of-hospital environment and geared to the lay-person.

At the completion of the class you will take a practical exam to assure competency. A Heartsaver card will be issued and is valid for two years.

AHA Heartsaver and First Aid Course:

This is an 8-hour hybrid course for CPR, Rescue Breathing, and First Aid in the out-of-hospital environment and geared to the lay-person.
At the completion of the class you will take a practical exam to assure competency. A Heartsaver and First Aid card will be issued and is valid for two years.

PetSaver™ Training:

Premier 8-hour class including CPR techniques, first aid skills, dental care, senior care and health & wellness information for dogs and cats.

Additionally, the class includes our PetSaver 40-page handbook and upon successful completion, each participant will receive a certificate and wallet card. Sometimes the unexpected happens… Will you be prepared to take action when it does?

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