INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL DISASTER SERVICE WORK TRAINING April 25-26, 2018 32 students attended the first-ever class in Sonoma County specifically for Volunteers interested in learning what it takes to become an Animal Disaster Service Worker.

The 2-day course was taught by John Maretti, from the Animal Rescue Training Company, and Ryan Soulsby, Director of Operations for Butte County Animal Services. Firefighters from Sonoma Valley Fire Rescue Authority, (SVFRA), taught the Fireline Safety module. An “update” presentation was made by Brian Whipple of Sonoma County Animal Services.

Julie Atwood, of The HALTER Project, taught training modules on media communication, and an overview of volunteer animal disaster response roles & responsibilities and training options in Northern California and answered questions during a lunchtime ADSW “Q&A” session.

The training was hosted by SVFRA Station 5, in Glen Ellen. During breaks, students had the opportunity to tour the SVFRA Animal Emergency Response Trailer, which serves residents of the valley and beyond with trained animal rescue technicians and equipment. The training was sponsored by The HALTER Project, providing free tuition to all interested volunteers.