WHO:            A free annual K-9 First Aid Course, sponsored by the Las Vegas Monorail Company and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, is being conducted by Dr. Paul McNamara, a national expert in training dog handlers for public safety agencies. Dr. McNamara is a veterinary surgeon and special deputy from Schenectady County, N.Y. who will help handlers prevent and treat injuries to their dogs. He has trained more than 1,000 K-9 teams, from the State Police of New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to the New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police, U.S. Customs, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Park Police and FBI. His partner, Herod, is state-certified in advanced narcotics detection.

 

WHAT:            The full-day course is free for K-9 handlers but limited to the first 35 who register.  The morning session will address topics and issues of importance to K-9 handlers including discussion on normal physical examination parameters, trauma logistics and medical and surgical conditions. The afternoon session will include additional presentation and discussion, followed by "hands-on" practical training, with each individual practicing basic techniques discussed during the morning session. For more information, or to register, contact John Kelly, canine supervisor for the Las Vegas Monorail, at (702) 208-0912. Kelly oversees the Monorail’s newly expanded K-9 team of three trained handlers and dogs Oakley, 9, Gunner, 4, and Allie, 3. These K-9 teams patrol Monorail stations and trains daily and are trained to detect any kind of explosive. Each trained dog represents an investment up to $30,000, Kelly said.

WHEN:            Friday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

WHERE:         Cashman Center, at 850 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

 

VISUALS:       Photo opportunities include police and security dogs and their handlers in hands-on training sessions that start after 1 p.m. Handlers will learn a wide range of first aid skills and can even practice CPR techniques on “mannequin” dogs.

 

Event is not open to the general public. 

 

About the Las Vegas Monorail

 

The Las Vegas Monorail provides an easy and convenient connection to the Las Vegas Strip, linking riders to the city’s world-class restaurants, shows, shops, clubs, hotels and casinos. Monorail passengers can travel the world-famous Las Vegas Strip in 15 minutes or less in a safe, comfortable and clean environment – without the hassles of traffic or wasted time. Currently, the privately funded Monorail system has seven stations: MGM Grand; Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas; Flamingo/Caesars Palace; Harrah’s/Imperial Palace; Las Vegas Convention Center; Las Vegas Hilton; and Sahara. The electric Monorail system consistently runs at 99.5 percent operational efficiency, indicating an optimal level of performance from people, processes and technology. For more information on the Las Vegas Monorail or where to purchase tickets, call (702) 699-8200; visit http://www.lvmonorail.com; pick up a Monorail Magazine, available at all Monorail stations; or pick up a Where QuickGuide with a Las Vegas Monorail Guide, available at station hotels and many other locations around the Strip.