Opioid overdoses are affecting more than just humans. More and more K9 officers are experiencing issues with the drug while in the field. The Champaign Police Department, along with Carle Hospital Arrow Ambulance Service, and the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital are teaming up to treat and care for injured K9 officers. And it all started after a training video was released by U of I's vet clinic. Maureen McMichael is the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. She says Carle Hospital Arrow Ambulance Service reached out to the U of I Veterinary Clinic to provide care for K9 officers who experience opioid overdoses. McMichael says it's become a crisis. And Regional EMS Medical Director for Carle Hospital Michael Smith says the Arrow Ambulance staff will be trained to care for injured police dogs. Smith says this is something emergency medical services have been interested in doing long-term, and with the right training, he believes it'll be beneficial in the long run. Champaign Deputy Chief of Police, Troy Daniels, says treatment in the first few minutes after an injury is critical to survival. Daniels also says about 60 K9 officers in Illinois have been injured in the line of duty. Training for Arrow staff will start within the next month, and will mainly focus on how to reverse the opioid overdosage.
Older Articles Newer Articles