Main Line Ambulances Ready To Save Pets Thanks to Ardmore Animal Hospital

By LEZA RAFFEL

ARDMORE, PA - Smoke inhalation during a fire isn’t just life threatening to humans; it also can be harmful to the health of household pets. Treating with oxygen is one of the quickest ways to aid people and pets suffering from smoke inhalation until medical care can be administered.

Now, Narberth Ambulance vehicles are equipped with oxygen masks that can be used on a variety of family pets following a fire thanks to a generous donation from Ardmore Animal Hospital.

Ardmore Animal Hospital raised enough money during its month-long fundraising campaign to purchase six oxygen kits for Narberth Ambulance, the nonprofit emergency pre-hospital care and medical transport organization serving Lower Merion, Narberth, Conshohocken and West Conshohocken.

According to Erika Lombardo, marketing lead for Ardmore Animal Hospital, the promotion of this fundraising initiative in the waiting room and on social media was met with a positive and rapid response. In addition to the money for the six oxygen kits they raised, anonymous donations allowed for the purchase of two additional units, thus equipping Narberth Ambulance with an oxygen kit for every ambulance in its fleet plus its fire rehab bus.

Ardmore Animal Hospital has provided compassionate care and veterinary services since 1937 for pets in Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Radnor, Wynnewood and Narberth.

“We are excited that Narberth Ambulance have these tools in their hands now, and we hope they never have to use them,” said Lombardo. “We cannot always be around to help animals so it felt good to help them save the animals in an emergency situation.”

Scott Kramer, Narberth Ambulance paramedic and lead project manager for this initiative, said Narberth Ambulance is thrilled to have the units available should they ever be needed. “We have seen these masks in use in other municipalities, and they have made a huge difference,” said Kramer, “We are very grateful to Ardmore Animal Hospital for their support in getting these kits for our vehicles,” he said. The masks, which come from Wag’N O2 Fur Life, can be used on a variety of animals, including small pets like cats and reptiles to large pets like dogs and alpacas. All emergency personnel at Narberth Ambulance received training on how to use the masks. “The procedure for using these masks isn’t much different from oxygen masks for people,” Kramer said.

According to Al Davey, Deputy Chief at Narberth Ambulance, in addition to obtaining the pet oxygen masks, Narberth Ambulance also has worked out an agreement with Keystone Veterinary Emergency and Referral to treat animals involved in fires. Keystone’s state-of-the-art veterinary facility is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pets requiring medical assistance following a fire rescue will be referred to Keystone since Narberth Ambulance cannot transport animals. “It is wonderful to have established such supportive and collaborative relationships within the community. I know it puts the minds of pet owners at ease,” said Davey.

ABOUT NARBERTH AMBULANCE
Narberth Ambulance is a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality, pre-hospital emergency care and medical transportation to the 95,000 residents and visitors in Lower Merion, Narberth, Conshohocken and West Conshohocken. Annually, Narberth Ambulance responds to over 6,100 calls for 911 emergency medical and advanced lifesaving support services. To learn more or to support Narberth Ambulance, visit www.narberthambulance.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Narberth Ambulance gratefully accepts oxygen kits donated by Ardmore Animal Hospital. From left to right: Scott Kramer, Narberth Ambulance Paramedic; Ian Stoddart, Narberth Ambulance Batt. Chief; Ronie Lawrence, Inventory Manager at Ardmore Animal Hospital; Erika Lombardo, Project Lead at Ardmore Animal Hospital; James Rowley MD, Narberth Ambulance President; Marie Eckman, Lt. at Narberth Ambulance; and Patrick A. Doyle, Narberth Ambulance Executive Director. Dogs pictured are Emma (left) and Chimi (right).